NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Outrage is rampant following a mob attack on two NYPD officers outside of a Times Square migrant shelter last week, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that the case will be heard by a grand jury on Tuesday.
“It is clear from video and other evidence that some of the most culpable individuals have not yet been identified or arrested, and we are working hand in hand with the NYPD to find and hold them accountable for their despicable acts,” Bragg said in a statement on Saturday.
“We are simultaneously preparing to present charges to the Grand Jury on Tuesday and will update the public as soon as legally permissible. We will not rest until every person who assaulted a police officer in this awful attack is held accountable,” Bragg’s statement said.
While the presentation of charges is upcoming, the investigation remains ongoing into the incident, as confirmed by Police Commissioner Edward Caban in a statement on Saturday.
“An attack against a police officer is an attack against our entire society. The NYPD is thoroughly investigating this incident, which saw a group of cowards assault two uniformed officers tasked with protecting our community. We will work tirelessly with the office of the Manhattan district attorney to identify and arrest every person who participated in this event,” Caban said.
The video-captured group attack occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 when an NYPD lieutenant and cop from the Midtown South Precinct attempted to disperse a “disorderly group” in front of 220 West 42nd Street. The officers were stomped and pummeled, and sustained minor injuries, including cuts to the face.
Police said that there are at least dozen suspects in the assault, four of which were arrested the night of the attack with a fifth getting nabbed two days later. They are all charged with either assault on a police officer, gang assault, obstructing governmental administration and/or disorderly conduct.
Sources told 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 that the arrested men come from shelters all across the city, and some of them already were connected to previous crimes. The sources said that one was wanted on an outstanding warrant, and another was linked to a robbery pattern.
All five of the men were released without bail after their arrests, as the district attorney’s office needed time to determine who was responsible for what. After their release, the men gave fake names to a faith-based charity and boarded buses to California, according to multiple reports.
It is unclear how the suspects will be found after leaving the state, or if they will return to court either later this month or in March. The NYPD is prepared to issue a bench warrant if the defendants miss their court date.
The event has intensified already existent controversy over the migrant crisis, with Gov. Kathy Hochul suggesting that the men be deported.
According to reports by the New York Daily News, prosecutors did seek bail in the arraignment of a sixth arrestee, 24-year-old Yohenry Brito, the person officers attempted to arrest before they were attacked on Jan. 27.
Prosecutors sought bail for Brito because of prior arrests and his lack of permanent address. The Daily News said that he remained at Rikers Island as of Saturday night.