Canal Street Vendor Assaults Reporter Documenting Illegal Sales
A New York Post reporter was physically accosted and had her phone knocked from her hand while attempting to document vendors selling counterfeit goods on Canal Street.
A New York Post reporter was attacked by a vendor while documenting the prevalence of illegal street sales on Canal Street in Manhattan. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, when the reporter, Caitlyn Becker, was filming street vendors who had gathered on the four-block stretch to sell counterfeit designer merchandise.
As Becker began filming, vendors became visibly angry and demanded she stop. Some attempted to hide their faces, while others verbally abused her. One vendor, after being told by Becker that she had the right to record, forcefully slapped her phone out of her hand and yelled at her to leave. The vendor then lunged toward her.
Becker contacted 911 following the encounter. However, due to the legal definition of assault, the vendor only received a citation for harassment. Other vendors continued to shout derogatory remarks at Becker as she left the scene.
Canal Street has long been a known hub for illegal street vendors selling a variety of counterfeit goods, including clothing, accessories, and