BY STEPHANIE BARISH wpix.com

6:42 p.m. EST, November 11, 2009
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
Four men - two of them dressed up as Mario and Luigi from the popular video game "Super Mario Brothers," are accused of beating up a cab driver at a gas station in Staten Island.

The incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on Nov. 1 when the four suspects entered a cab being driven by a 48-year-old man. One of the men allegedly reached into the driver's pocket in an attempt to steal cash.

According to police, the driver then stopped and pulled into a gas station located at 863 Arthur Kill Road, where he asked the suspects to pay the fare and exit the vehicle. The suspects then launched a brutal attack on the driver.

The fight is caught on surveillance tape and initially shows one man get out of the taxi. Then minutes later, two men dressed as Mario and Luigi are seen pushing the cab driver into the side of the car. Two other men then stroll in front of the cab to watch the attack but do nothing to stop the it.

About one minute later, the men dressed as the Mario Brothers are seen struggling and fighting with the taxi driver - but this time in front of the vehicle. The cab driver then falls onto the hood of the car.

The man dressed as Mario continues to push and shove the driver until he falls to the ground. The tussle continues for several more seconds, with the Luigi character back punching and shoving, the suspect

Moments later, the driver is able to break free. The suspects quickly fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Anyone with information is urged to contact New York City police.