CHELSEA — A man was attacked with a high heel shoe and choked unconscious during a fight with two people over a cab early on New Year's Day, leaving him in need of 14 staples to the head, police said.
The 23-year-old victim, who lives in Westchester, was trying to hail a cab in front of 255 W. 14th St. around 4:40 a.m. on Jan. 1 when he got in an argument with Krista Zuniga, 24, and Edwin Sanchez, 33, who were trying to get in the same cab, the NYPD said.
As the argument escalated, Sanchez repeatedly hit the victim in the face and head with his fist, resulting in bruising and swelling, while Zuniga struck him “multiple times” in the head with her high heel shoe, causing cuts to his head, police said.
Sanchez also put the victim in a chokehold until he became unconscious, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
After the attack, the victim was taken to Lenox Hill HealthPlex, where he received the 14 staples to the back his head, according to police
Zuniga and Sanchez were arrested and charged with assault, attempted assault and strangulation, the DA said.
Sanchez is being held at the Manhattan Detention Complex on $25,000 bail, while Zuniga is being held at the Rose M. Singer Center on $20,000 bail, according to the city Department of Correction.
The two were expected to appear in court Wednesday, according to the DA.
Attorneys for Sanchez and for Zuniga did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Zuniga was previously arrested in 2013 in a massive bust of a Manhattan cocaine-dealing ring.
The accused drug kingpins were reportedly taken down in part because they shared photos on social media of themselves partying at the Queens strip club where Zuniga was a dancer.
