NYC’s ‘Naked Cowboy’ arrested for panhandling at Florida motorcycle festival

Molly Crane-Newman

New York City’s notorious “Naked Cowboy” took his Times Square show on the road — and got arrested at a motorcycle festival in Florida, authorities said Monday.

Robert Burck, 50, was nabbed on charges of aggressive panhandling and resisting arrest during the annual Bike Week festival in Daytona Beach, police said.

Robert Burck, 50, known as the "Naked Cowboy" was charged with aggressive panhandling on March 6 during Bike Week in Daytona Beach.
Robert Burck, 50, known as the "Naked Cowboy" was charged with aggressive panhandling on March 6 during Bike Week in Daytona Beach.


Robert Burck, 50, known as the "Naked Cowboy" was charged with aggressive panhandling on March 6 during Bike Week in Daytona Beach.

Wearing his signature tighty-whities, Burck was seen taking selfies with festivalgoers approximately 10 feet away from a store on Main St., the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Burck is a regular fixture at the motorcycle event and rally held annually, according to the Naked Cowboy’s Facebook page, which said it was his 21st time attending the festival.

His tricked-out guitar was damaged during his arrest. A police photo showed the saddle torn from the red, white and blue instrument’s body.

The Daily News could not immediately reach the Naked Cowboy for comment.

The headstock of street performer 'Naked Cowboy' was broken during his arrest for panhandling in Daytona Beach during Bike Week.
The headstock of street performer 'Naked Cowboy' was broken during his arrest for panhandling in Daytona Beach during Bike Week.


The headstock of street performer 'Naked Cowboy' was broken during his arrest for panhandling in Daytona Beach during Bike Week.

“[It] is officially known worldwide that Naked Cowboy NEVER asks for money, & will take a picture with ANYONE. That’s why he’s the most photographed man in the world. There is a difference between busking & panhandling,” Todd Rubenstein, a rep for Burck, said in response to the performer’s dustup with the law.

Video footage of Burck’s arrest shows him up against a police cruiser, wiggling around in handcuffs, as an officer attempts to coax him into the vehicle and onlookers boo.

Bikers crowd Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers crowd Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A bartender wears a mask during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A bartender wears a mask during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Robert Burck, better known as the “Naked Cowboy”, walks down the middle of Main Street performing in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. Though Burck is famous for his street performances in New York City’s Times Square, he said this was his 21st time attending Bike Week. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Robert Burck, better known as the “Naked Cowboy”, walks down the middle of Main Street performing in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. Though Burck is famous for his street performances in New York City’s Times Square, he said this was his 21st time attending Bike Week. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Spectators enjoy live music and alcoholic beverages during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Spectators enjoy live music and alcoholic beverages during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Spectators watch from behind barricades during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Spectators watch from behind barricades during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A biker wears a horned helmet during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A biker wears a horned helmet during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A custom paint job is pictured on a motorcycle during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A custom paint job is pictured on a motorcycle during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers relax during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers relax during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A masked server sells beer during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A masked server sells beer during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A motorcycle is painted to honor breast cancer awareness during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A motorcycle is painted to honor breast cancer awareness during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers gather in front of Dirty Harry’s bar on Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers gather in front of Dirty Harry’s bar on Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A server wears a mask during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A server wears a mask during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers crowd Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers crowd Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Law enforcement officers patrol during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Law enforcement officers patrol during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Live music is played during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Live music is played during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers crowd Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers crowd Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Biker enthusiasts enjoy cold beers on Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Biker enthusiasts enjoy cold beers on Main Street during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Jeff Foster sits with his dog, Buddy, along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Jeff Foster sits with his dog, Buddy, along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man is reflected in the window outside of Dirty Harry’s Pub on Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man is reflected in the window outside of Dirty Harry’s Pub on Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A plastic skeleton wearing a mask is set up outside of the Sanity Jewelers stand along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A plastic skeleton wearing a mask is set up outside of the Sanity Jewelers stand along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Vendors prepare and sell food along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Vendors prepare and sell food along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Boots are displayed in a shop along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Boots are displayed in a shop along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Vendors prepare and sell food along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Vendors prepare and sell food along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People look at bikes at the Indian Motorcycle Main Street display in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People look at bikes at the Indian Motorcycle Main Street display in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man watches bikers ride past in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man watches bikers ride past in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A woman crosses Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A woman crosses Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People watch live music in The Lot at Full Moon Saloon in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People watch live music in The Lot at Full Moon Saloon in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People watch the bikers ride down Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People watch the bikers ride down Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man rides a bicycle down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the beginning of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man rides a bicycle down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the beginning of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People walk by Cruisin Cafe on Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People walk by Cruisin Cafe on Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Patrons raise their drinks in support of the troops ahead of a wet T-shirt competition in Dirty Harry’s Pub in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Patrons raise their drinks in support of the troops ahead of a wet T-shirt competition in Dirty Harry’s Pub in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers gather outside of a Harley-Davidson shop on Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers gather outside of a Harley-Davidson shop on Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man buys a beer along Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man buys a beer along Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man wipes the windshield of his bike on Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man wipes the windshield of his bike on Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man sells Trump shirts along Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man sells Trump shirts along Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People walk down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
People walk down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man dressed as Spider-Man poses as people walk along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man dressed as Spider-Man poses as people walk along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A contestant in the wet T-shirt competition, who signed up under the name “Sexy Grandma”, waves during her performance in Dirty Harry’s Pub in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. She placed first after receiving the loudest audience applause. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A contestant in the wet T-shirt competition, who signed up under the name “Sexy Grandma”, waves during her performance in Dirty Harry’s Pub in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on Friday, March 5, 2021. She placed first after receiving the loudest audience applause. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man downs a beer onstage during a wet T-shirt competition at Dirty Harry’s Pub in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man downs a beer onstage during a wet T-shirt competition at Dirty Harry’s Pub in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the starting day of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Two people ride down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Two people ride down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A woman hands out “Biker Bibles” to people along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A woman hands out “Biker Bibles” to people along Main Street in Daytona, FL during Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
Bikers ride up and down Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man smokes a cigarette outside a shop on Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
A man smokes a cigarette outside a shop on Main Street in Daytona, FL during the start of Bike Week on March 5, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel)
The beach is nearly deserted during a chilly afternoon during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The beach is nearly deserted during a chilly afternoon during Bike Week in Daytona Beach on Monday, March 8, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Burck recently made headlines when he was nearly stripped of his famous underwear during citywide celebrations over Joe Biden’s landslide win in the U.S. presidential election.

The Naked Cowboy was engaged in a sing-along of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with tourists in Times Square when a man ran up from behind him and attempted to rip his underwear from his body, a video posted to Twitter shows.

“Now you’re naked!,” the masked prankster can be heard saying in the video.

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