Spider-Man, Batman busted in Times Square brawl

NEW YORK, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A New York man apparently auditioning for the role of a super villain allegedly picked a fight with Batman and Spider-Man in Times Square, witnesses said.

Police arrested Thomas Rorke, 22, along with costumed performers Jose Escalona, 41, who was dressed as Batman, and Abdel Elkshezai, 35, who was portraying Spider-Man, around 10:25 p.m. Saturday in Times Square.

Costumed characters blamed Rorke for picking fights with the super heroes.

"He was intoxicated and messing with Batman and they got into it," another Spider-Man, Paul Smith, told the New York Daily News.

Police said investigators have not determined how the fight started.

A third Spider-Man, Junior Bishop, was arrested in July for allegedly fighting with police officers who ordered him to stop demanding cash tips from tourists.