“Law & Order” TV cop Richard Belzer said an Apple employee’s claim that he choked her in an Upper West Side computer store was like a storyline from his show — pure fiction.
“The sad part of it was that police officers were called and had to report to the scene, and God knows we don’t need all that manpower wasted on a trivial accusation that was clearly done either for attention or to embarrass a famous person,” Belzer told The Post.
Cops were called to the West 67th Street Apple Store in response to a 911 report of an assault in progress Wednesday evening after the comedian and two aides stepped in to buy a computer.
An employee, Milan Agnew, 21, told police that Belzer grabbed her shoulders, shook her and choked her before barking, “I need help.”
But Belzer said Agnew is the one who needs help — for being so delusional.
“I’ve never had even the slightest rudeness like this at the Apple store,” Belzer said. “They’re all great. I think you have to pass a personality test to work there, and I don’t know how this woman slipped through the cracks.”
Belzer, 65, who lives on Riverside Drive, was questioned by police, but not charged with a crime. Cops also looked at surveillance video, and determined that he did nothing wrong.
The actor said that after waiting an unusually long time for service, he put his hands on Agnew’s shoulder, but did nothing after that but ask for help.
“She wanted attention and she knew who I was and I clearly didn’t assault her,” Belzer said. “It’s surprising that Apple would not apologize to such a high-profile, good customer. I’ve spent thousands of dollars there. I don’t want her to be fired, I just want her to seek help.”
But Agnew said it was Belzer who was out of line.
“I’m not star-struck by anyone,” Agnew said. “I approached him like he was a regular customer. I asked, ‘How can I help you?’ He told me what he needed, and then before I was able to speak again, he lunges in and grabs my neck. It was no gentle manner. There is no gentle manner to grab someone’s neck.”
Agnew filed a harassment complaint with the NYPD, which she can pursue in Civil Court.
“I just think something more could have been done,” Agnew said. “Had it been someone else, there would have been some repercussions.”
A spokeswoman for the Apple Store could not be reached for comment.
Despite the hassle, Belzer bought a new computer, a 21.5-inch iMac to go with an iBook the same store comped him at their opening.
Belzer said he will return to the store for future purchases.
The longtime standup comedian has played the role of Detective John Munch in both “Homicide: Life on the Street” and in “Law & Order: SVU.”