A 54-year-old Bushwick fruit vendor was arraigned last night on robbery and assault charges for his role in an alleged gang beating with racial overtones.
But Barinthe Ramoutar’s lawyer insists her client is a victim of mistaken identity and can’t even make a fist because of arthritis after 24 years as a welder.
Ramoutar was arrested on the train platform at Jerome Avenue and Fordham Road 45 minutes after Jason Fordell, 29, of The Bronx, was attacked on a No. 4 train.
Fordell, who is white, told cops that four black males taunted him with racial slurs, then jumped him.
Ramoutar was released without bond.