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Mamajuana Cafe Attack Leaves Man in Coma, Police Say

By Tom Liddy | January 12, 2012 5:42pm
Mamajuana Cafe on Dyckman St, Inwood offers a brunch Special for $18.95 which includes a starter, main and unlimited Mimosas from 11am - 3pm. Oct. 2nd, 2011
Mamajuana Cafe on Dyckman St, Inwood offers a brunch Special for $18.95 which includes a starter, main and unlimited Mimosas from 11am - 3pm. Oct. 2nd, 2011
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DNAinfo/Paul Lomax

MANHATTAN — A man was left in a coma after he was clocked in the head in a popular but controversial Inwood café last weekend, authorities said.

The violence unfolded at Mamajuana Café, at 247 Dyckman St., near Seaman Ave. on Jan. 8.

According to cops, a fight erupted between the 23-year-old victim and two men.

During the fight, one of the alleged assailants hit the victim in the head, knocking him out.

The victim was hospitalized in a coma, police said.

Victor Santos, the café's general manager, said that based on surveillance tape he reviewed and talks with customers, the victim and a friend approached the suspects, who were drinking in the entranceway.

The victim then could be seen speaking into the ear of one of the alleged attackers, who pushed him off, Santos said.

At one point, the alleged attacker tried to punch the victim but missed.  Then the second suspect punched him in the face, knocking him out, Santos said.

Santos said he dragged one of the suspects out of the restaurant, and both men fled.

"The [victim] was knocked out," said Santos, who helped get him to an ambulance. "We heard him snoring."

Mamajuana has drawn fire from the community for years because of noisy patrons who spill out onto the sidewalk.

"It’s a very unfortunate incident," Santos said. "It’s not a place where fights break out."

One of the suspects is described as between 25- and 30-years-old, 5-foot-10, 200 pounds with close-cut hair. Police say he is heavily tattooed.

The other suspect is between 27- and 30-years-old, 5-foot-8, 210 pounds, with a crew cut.  He was last seen wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information about these two suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.