Five suspects charged with assaulting two NYPD officers in Times Square last month appeared before a judge on Friday. The individuals, identified as Wilson Juarez, Kelvin Servita Arocha, Yohenry Brito, Yorman Reveron, and Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, were arraigned on charges of second-degree assault and obstructing government administration. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed his firm stance against such attacks, stating, “The assault on our police officers in Times Square was despicable, and we do not tolerate this type of attack.”
The incident, which occurred on January 27 in front of a migrant shelter on West 42nd Street, was captured on video. According to the police, they were attempting to disperse a disorderly crowd when Yohenry Brito allegedly refused to comply. Body camera footage revealed officers pinning Brito against a wall, prompting him to resist. Meanwhile, the remaining suspects were seen encircling the struggle, kicking and grabbing the officers.
Yohenry Brito was subsequently taken into custody and held at Rikers Island for a week before posting $15,000 bail. Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel had already appeared in court earlier in the week for charges related to a separate shoplifting incident in Queens.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized that the investigation into the incident with the NYPD is ongoing, and efforts are being made in collaboration with law enforcement partners to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
