Eight migrants, all Venezuelan natives, have been charged in connection with the mob attack on two NYPD cops in Times Square on January 27. Law enforcement sources believe that up to 14 suspects were involved in the assault. Two of the accused migrants have been identified as members of the notorious Venezuelan street gang known as “Tren de Aragua” or Aragua Train.
Among the suspects, Brito was arrested on January 31 and charged with assault on a police officer, obstructing governmental administration, and tampering with physical evidence. He was initially held on $15,000 cash or a $50,000 bond but was briefly freed after the Rev. Juan Ruiz posted his bail. However, Brito’s bail was reinstated at $15,000 by Judge Ruth Pickholtz due to his previous cases of petit larceny.
Reveron, who has lived in the city for about a year, is accused of assaulting the officers during the mob attack. He had been previously arrested twice for theft-related incidents and released without bail. Reveron’s lawyer claimed that he had received death threats on social media but Judge Pickholtz ordered him to be held on $100,000 bail, considering his prior interactions with the law.
Bhoda, arrested on January 31, was charged with assault on a police officer and obstructing governmental administration. He was released without bail and caused further outrage by flipping off reporters as he left the courthouse.
Bohorquez, arrested on February 14, was charged with assault on a police officer and obstructing governmental administration. He was held on $100,000 cash bail or a $250,000 bond, despite prosecutors’ request for no bail. Prosecutors accused him of kicking and grabbing an officer during the struggle with Brito.
Juarez, one of the alleged gang members, did not physically assault the officers but attempted to hinder the investigation by switching clothes with Bohorquez. He was initially released without bail but was later apprehended by ICE agents and is expected to be deported.
Arocha, the other alleged gang member, tried to conceal his involvement in the attack by changing clothes afterward. He has been in the US for three months and was initially freed but was later taken into custody on an ICE warrant.
Gomez-Izquiel, released without bail initially, was rearrested for a violent robbery at Macy’s in Queens. He was ordered held on $50,000 bail. Prosecutors alleged that he grabbed and kicked the officers during the Times Square incident.
Madris, arrested on Tuesday, was charged with assault on a police officer, obstructing governmental administration, and tampering with physical evidence. He was held without bail at his arraignment, and questions arose regarding his age, with prosecutors suspecting that he may be older than 17.
One additional suspect was arrested but not charged due to a lack of evidence. Law enforcement sources believe that up to five more individuals may have been involved in the incident.
1 Response
As an avid follower of news and current events, I was deeply disturbed when I read about the mob attack on two NYPD cops in Times Square. It was even more shocking to learn that all eight individuals involved were Venezuelan migrants. This incident hit close to home for me as I have a personal connection to the Venezuelan community.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work closely with a group of Venezuelan immigrants who had fled their country due to the political and economic crisis. They were hardworking,