Harmunie Heaven Church Charged in Alleged Assault on Los Angeles Street Vendor
A violent incident involving a downtown Los Angeles street vendor has drawn widespread attention after prosecutors announced felony charges against 19-year-old Harmunie Heaven Church. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Church has been charged in connection with an alleged attack on a 60-year-old street vendor near the FIG at 7th shopping center in downtown Los Angeles. The District Attorney’s Office stated that the incident occurred on June 15, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m., after a dispute involving the purchase of a hot dog.
The case has gained public attention because street vendors are often small business owners working long hours in public spaces. Many rely on their carts and daily earnings to support their families. When an alleged assault happens in public and involves a working street vendor, it raises serious concerns about safety, accountability, and the criminal court process in Los Angeles County.
Alleged Attack Near FIG at 7th in Downtown Los Angeles
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the victim was selling food on a sidewalk outside FIGat7th when Church allegedly became involved in a verbal dispute with the vendor. Prosecutors allege that Church grabbed the victim by the hair, threw her to the ground, and repeatedly punched her in the head during the attack.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that officers responded on June 15, 2026, to the 700 block of South Figueroa Street for a battery investigation involving a dispute between a hot dog vendor and a pedestrian. LAPD Central Area detectives later identified Harmunie Heaven Church as the suspect and took her into custody near downtown Los Angeles on June 25, 2026.
News reports also identified the street vendor as Arabelia Martinez and described video footage showing the confrontation escalating into a physical attack. ABC7 reported that bystanders attempted to intervene and separate the individuals during the incident.
Charges Filed Against Harmunie Heaven Church
Based on information obtained from the Los Angeles Superior Court, Harmunie Heaven Church is facing the following charges and special allegations: Los Angeles Superior Court Case 26CJCF03939-01
Count 001: PC 245(a)(4)-F — Assault by Any Means of Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury
This is a felony assault charge alleging that force was used in a manner likely to cause great bodily injury. California Penal Code section 245(a)(4) applies when a person commits an assault “by any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.”
Special Allegation: PC 12022.7(a) — Great Bodily Injury
This is an enhancement allegation. Under California Penal Code section 12022.7(a), a person who personally inflicts great bodily injury during the commission of a felony may face an additional and consecutive prison term of three years if convicted and if the enhancement is found true. California law defines great bodily injury under this section as a significant or substantial physical injury.
Count 002: PC 243(d)-F — Battery With Serious Bodily Injury
This felony charge alleges that a battery resulted in serious bodily injury. Under California Penal Code section 243(d), a battery causing serious bodily injury can be punished by jail or imprisonment under California sentencing law. The statute defines serious bodily injury as a serious impairment of physical condition, including injuries such as loss of consciousness, concussion, bone fracture, serious disfigurement, or wounds requiring extensive suturing.
Count 003: PC 594(a)-F — Vandalism
This charge alleges vandalism involving damage, destruction, or defacement of property. California Penal Code section 594(a) defines vandalism as maliciously defacing, damaging, or destroying property belonging to another person.
Special Allegation: PC 594(b)(1)-A — Vandalism of $400 or More
This allegation relates to the amount of alleged damage. Under Penal Code section 594(b)(1), vandalism involving damage of $400 or more carries more serious punishment exposure than lower-value vandalism.
Plea, Bail, and Court Status
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated that Church pleaded not guilty to all counts during her arraignment on June 29, 2026. Prosecutors also stated that her bail was set at $105,000 and that the case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Department 41 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
NBC Los Angeles also reported that Church was charged with felony assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, and vandalism causing $400 or more in damage. The report noted that the case includes a great bodily injury allegation and that, if convicted as charged, Church could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
What Happens Next in a Los Angeles Felony Case?
After an arraignment in a felony case, the next major step is often a preliminary hearing. At that hearing, prosecutors must present enough evidence for a judge to determine whether there is probable cause to hold the defendant to answer on the felony charges. The preliminary hearing is not a trial, and the defendant is not found guilty or not guilty at that stage.
In Los Angeles County felony cases, bail may be reviewed as the case moves forward. Depending on the circumstances, the court may consider the seriousness of the charges, the defendant’s criminal history if any, public safety concerns, ties to the community, and whether the defendant is likely to appear in court.
Presumption of Innocence
It is important to remember that criminal charges are allegations. Harmunie Heaven Church is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The District Attorney’s Office specifically noted that the charges filed in this case are allegations and that the defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Los Angeles Bail Bonds Assistance
When someone is arrested in Los Angeles County, families are often left trying to understand the bail amount, the jail location, the court date, and the next steps in the criminal process. A licensed bail bond agency can help explain how bail works, what information is needed to post a bond, and how court appearances affect the bond.
All American Bail Bonds provides fast, confidential bail bond assistance throughout Los Angeles County, including downtown Los Angeles, the Foltz Criminal Justice Center, LAPD bookings, and Los Angeles County jail facilities. Our licensed bail agents are available 24 hours a day to help families understand the bail process and work toward a timely release when bail has been set.
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