New York Man Says He Was 'Knocked Out' Because of Resemblance to Actor Shia LaBeouf

Police are investigating the alleged incident.

ByABC News
April 27, 2016, 6:01 PM

— -- The New York Police Department is investigating after a man reported being punched in the face because of his resemblance to actor Shia LaBeouf.

The alleged incident occurred on Saturday night as Mario Licato, 26, was leaving a Manhattan train station, police confirmed.

PHOTO: Shia LaBeouf attends a photocall for "Fury" during the 58th BFI London Film Festival at Corinthia Hotel London, Oct. 19, 2014, in London.
Shia LaBeouf attends a photocall for "Fury" during the 58th BFI London Film Festival at Corinthia Hotel London, Oct. 19, 2014, in London.

"I was walking up the stairs... [The attacker] was coming down," Licato told ABC News. "Then, boom, [I] saw a fist in my face. As I was falling down the stairs, I heard, 'That's because you look exactly like Shia LaBeouf.'"

Although he did not go to the hospital, Licato said he was "knocked out cold." He also claimed the punch left him bloodied and his glasses broken.

PHOTO: Mario Licato, 26, says he was punched and 'knocked out, cold' by a man who told him he did it because he looked like actor Shia LaBeouf.
Mario Licato, 26, says he was punched and 'knocked out, cold' by a man who told him he did it because he looked like actor Shia LaBeouf.

Police say they do not have a description of the suspect, and they are treating the incident as a misdemeanor assault.