![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/screenshot-2026-06-26-at-10412-pm-165204-ungs59lp-596633-wbJ7LuFt.png\")
A screenshot of security camera video provided by Maciel\u2019s family.<\/p>\nAgainst his doctor\u2019s advice, Long Beach resident Israel Maciel had no intention of taking three months off work. His family needed him.<\/p>\n
When abdominal surgery left him unable to do his regular job painting houses a year ago, he pivoted to selling snacks that his wife makes in their Washington neighborhood apartment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was cooped up, and I wanted to get out. I wanted to do something,\u201d Maciel said in Spanish. \u201cThe bills and everything else, they don\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
For about four hours each day, Maciel walked up and down Pacific Avenue selling spicy pistachios, chili-covered peanuts, candied almonds and walnuts $1 at a time at laundromats, barbershops and mechanics. On a good day, he took home between $80 and $100.<\/p>\n
On slow days, he still enjoyed chatting with his neighbors. He\u2019s kept at it even after returning to his painting job.<\/p>\n
But two weeks ago on a Saturday night, while selling at a laundromat on Pacific Avenue near Pacific Coast Highway, a man he had never seen before suddenly walked up to Maciel, punched him in his right eye and stole a handful of snacks, all without saying a word.<\/p>\n
A screenshot of security camera video provided by Maciel\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
Security camera footage outside of the laundromat captured the seemingly random act.<\/p>\n
In the footage, Maciel is holding a tray of nuts in the parking lot when the man attacks. The video showed Maciel stumbling to the ground while his assailant turned to walk back into the laundromat.<\/p>\n
Maciel said a woman, one of his regular customers, rushed to his aid and called 911.<\/p>\n
When help arrived, Maciel had to call his wife because \u2014 stunned \u2014 he couldn\u2019t remember basic info, like their home address.<\/p>\n
About an hour later, officers arrested 45-year-old Charles Erby outside the laundromat on suspicion of robbery, according to jail records.<\/p>\n
When they booked him into jail, Erby listed his home address as the Multi-Service Center in West Long Beach, the city\u2019s primary hub for homelessness services.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not the first time Erby has allegedly victimized someone outside the laundromat. On June 17 in Long Beach Superior Court, Erby pleaded not guilty to one count of felony robbery and one misdemeanor count of theft at the same location more than two years ago, according to court records. If convicted of the new crime, he could face up to 5 years in prison.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/25jun26-vender-9-525439-ljmo2v7a-306968-t2Dl6chY-1024x755.jpg\")
Israel Maciel stands at his home in Long Beach on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/p>\n
While Maciel is happy his alleged assailant is behind bars, he said the attack has had a ripple effect on his daily life.<\/p>\n
He hasn\u2019t been out selling in two weeks. When he does go back out, he said he\u2019ll no longer sell at night.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/25jun26-vender-0-206471-e5gdlzvx-154124-ZCPu5dmn-1024x631.jpg\")
Israel Maciel stands at his home in Long Beach on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/p>\n