Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced his intention to track down the migrants who allegedly attacked two NYPD officers before being released without bail.
Bragg stated that his office will present evidence to a grand jury on Tuesday regarding the 12 suspects believed to be involved in the assault outside a shelter in Times Square on January 27. He emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions, stating, "We will not rest until every person who assaulted a police officer in this awful attack is held accountable."
However, it may prove challenging to locate some of the suspects, as four of them are suspected of using fake names to obtain bus tickets to California from a Catholic charity in New York. Six suspects were initially arrested and charged with robbery and felony assault, while a seventh was arrested but released due to a lack of evidence. The four suspects who were released without bail are now believed to have fled to California using a church-affiliated migrant charity. The identities of the remaining five suspects have not been released by the police.
In defense of the decision to release the suspects, Bragg stated that conclusive identification of each defendant is essential to secure convictions in a court of law. He expressed his disgust and outrage at the despicable behavior captured on video, emphasizing that Manhattan does not tolerate or accept assaults on police officers.
One of the suspects, Venezuelan national Yohenry Brito, is currently being held on bail at Rikers Island. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office justified the bail based on Brito's positive identification in video footage of the attack, which revealed a distinct tattoo. The assault occurred around 8:30 pm when officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42nd Street. A fight broke out between one of the suspects and the police officers, leading to the migrants attacking the officers by kicking them in the head and body. The suspects then fled the scene, heading east on 42nd Street toward Seventh Avenue.
Four of the suspects, Darwin Andres Gomez Izquiel, Kelvin Servat Arocha, Juarez Wilson, and Yorman Reveron, were arrested later that night and charged with assault on a police officer, gang assault, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct. However, they were released without monetary bail. Law enforcement sources have revealed that these four suspects provided fake names to a church-affiliated nonprofit group that assists migrants in obtaining transportation out of the city.
Another suspect, Jhoan Boada, was also released after being charged and was seen making an obscene gesture at the press waiting outside the court. Brito, the suspect being held on bail, has a history of past offenses, including charges of petty larceny for stealing from Bergdorf Goodman and Macy's.
Since taking office in 2022, Alvin Bragg has faced criticism for not seeking prison time for certain charges and downgrading felony charges in various cases, including armed robbery and drug offenses. This has led to concerns about the enforcement of law and order in Manhattan.
Actor Michael Rapaport expressed his outrage over the decision to release the suspects, stating that it is unacceptable for individuals from another country to assault a police officer in New York City and walk out without bail. Rapaport criticized the deterioration of law enforcement in the city and questioned why there is not more public outcry over such incidents.
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Elon Musk has claimed that President Joe Biden's strategy is to let as many migrants into the country as possible. Musk argues that this strategy aims to create a permanent majority and a one-party state by legalizing the migrants. He believes that the encouragement of illegal immigration is part of this plan. Musk also expressed his frustration with the lack of deportations, highlighting the recent incident in which individuals assaulted police officers in broad daylight in New York City, were released without bail, and were not deported.
The migrant crisis, which was initially concentrated in southern states near the border, such as Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, has now spread to cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. Buses filled with thousands of migrants are being sent to Democratic-led areas across the country, putting pressure on local governments to provide housing and other accommodations.
New York City, in particular, has struggled to cope with the influx of migrants, with over 100,000 arriving in 2023 alone. The city has turned landmark hotels into makeshift shelters and temporary housing, but the capacity is reaching its limit. Despite requests for federal aid, Mayor Eric Adams has been denied assistance in housing and feeding the migrants.
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