NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A man is facing attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting two NYPD officers who tried to pull him over earlier this week in Queens for driving the wrong way, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday.
Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 19, was arraigned via video from his bedside at an area hospital and charged with attempted murder, assault criminal possession of a weapon, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.
Additionally, he is facing three vehicle and traffic law violations pertaining to one-way roadways, no motorcycle helmet and missing plates, officials said.
According to the charges, at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Monday, June 3, NYPD police officers Christopher Abreu, Richard Yarusso and NYPD Sergeant Nicholas Condos were on patrol in an unmarked police vehicle while wearing NYPD uniforms when they observed Mata operating an unregistered motorcycle and driving the wrong way down Ditmars Boulevard, near 90th Street, in East Elmhurst.
Mata was also observed weaving the motorcycle onto the sidewalk with pedestrians present while not wearing a helmet.
The two officers exited the unmarked police vehicle and tried to approach Mata, at which point he ditched the motorcycle and fled the scene on foot.
Officer Yarusso began a foot pursuit, while Officer Abreu followed Mata in the unmarked car. Sergeant Condos pursued Mata using the motorcycle that he had been driving, authorities said.
After catching up to the defendant in the vicinity of 23rd Avenue and 89th Street, Officer Abreu attempted to place Mata under arrest, but he began resisting arrest by twisting his body, flailing his arms and reaching inside a bag he was wearing across his chest.
Officer Yarusso attempted to help Officer Abreu place Mata in handcuffs and the two officers struggled with him on the ground.
During the struggle, Mata removed a firearm from his crossbody bag and shot Officer Yarusso in the lower chest at point blank range. The officer’s bullet-resistant vest stopped the bullet.
Mata also shot Officer Abreu, striking him in the upper right thigh area.
Officer Abreu returned fire, shooting Mata in the foot and ankle area, at which point he let go of the firearm and was placed in handcuffs.
Both officers were treated for their injuries and released from NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Monday morning.
Mata remains hospitalized.
Police recovered a loaded Hi-Point .380-caliber pistol, two deformed fired bullets, nine bullet fragments, three discharged .380-caliber shell casings, as well as four 9 mm discharged shell casings from the scene.
Mata is a migrant shelter resident who is suspected in a string of robberies involving mopeds in the borough, according to police. He is set to return to court on June 7.
"According to the criminal complaint, this defendant fired his gun point blank into the chest of a New York City police officer, and just seconds later shot another officer in the leg," DA Katz said. "NYPD officers put their lives at risk every day to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. Amongst other charges, including criminal possession of the weapon and assault, we are charging the defendant with the attempted murder of both police officers."