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Woman Attacked in NYC Whole Foods Sues Store for Failing to Protect Customers

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A woman who was hit in the head with a glass bottle while shopping at Whole Foods claims in a lawsuit that the Midtown store failed to protect its customers.

Cassidy Arkin, 49, was shopping at the Sixth Avenue supermarket in October when she was surprised by a rampaging maniac, authorities said.

Michael Howell, 33, allegedly attacked a 24-year-old man outside the store with a glass bottle, then went into the store, grabbed another bottle and slammed Arkin in front of a grocery counter with it.

The October attack left Arkin struggling physically and mentally, the lawsuit says. William C. Lopez/New York PostThe October attack left Arkin struggling physically and mentally, the lawsuit says. William C. Lopez/New York Post

The October attack left Arkin struggling physically and mentally, the lawsuit says. William C. Lopez/New York Post

Arkin alleges in the lawsuit that Whole Foods failed to provide adequate supplies at the time of the attack. GC imagesArkin alleges in the lawsuit that Whole Foods failed to provide adequate supplies at the time of the attack. GC images

Arkin alleges in the lawsuit that Whole Foods failed to provide adequate supplies at the time of the attack. GC images

He then fled to a nearby subway, took the train one stop to Rockefeller Center and cradled a 55-year-old passenger with another bottle, authorities said.

Arkin suffered a severed earlobe and staples in her scalp and pulled shards of glass from her body.

Whole Foods failed to properly hire, supervise and train employees whose job it was to protect customers, she alleged in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The Harlem-based producer and director, who is seeking unspecified damages, said she is suffering from permanent physical injuries and mental anguish following the attack.

First, a 24-year-old man was attacked outside Whole Foods, followed by 49-year-old Cassidy Arkin and then a 55-year-old woman on the subway. William C. Lopez/New York PostFirst, a 24-year-old man was attacked outside Whole Foods, followed by 49-year-old Cassidy Arkin and then a 55-year-old woman on the subway. William C. Lopez/New York Post

First, a 24-year-old man was attacked outside Whole Foods, followed by 49-year-old Cassidy Arkin and then a 55-year-old woman on the subway. William C. Lopez/New York Post

Before the October attacks, Michael Howell was arrested for a series of thefts and another attack in August, The Post reported. James Messerschmidt for NY PostBefore the October attacks, Michael Howell was arrested for a series of thefts and another attack in August, The Post reported. James Messerschmidt for NY Post

Before the October attacks, Michael Howell was arrested for a series of thefts and another attack in August, The Post reported. James Messerschmidt for NY Post

Howell, an eight-time felon, is incarcerated at Rikers Island on assault charges.

The criminal proceedings are pending.

Arkin and her attorney declined to comment.

Whole Foods did not respond to a message seeking comment.

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