Yohenry Brito, a migrant from Venezuela, who previously led a gang of asylum-seeking individuals in a brutal assault on two NYPD officers in Times Square, has been arrested for a series of thefts, according to police sources. Late Tuesday, Brito was apprehended for two separate theft incidents at Sephora stores in Manhattan. The first incident occurred in July, where he cut security wires on display cases to steal fragrances. The second incident took place on August 6, when he fled with an accomplice after stealing merchandise worth $1,358 from store shelves. The accomplice remains at large.
Brito had previously been arrested and released for at least three other thefts, both before and after the Times Square police assault. In the disturbing video captured on the evening of January 27, Brito was one of seven migrants seen punching and kicking an NYPD officer and lieutenant after officers attempted to disperse a rowdy crowd. Five of the accused individuals, including Yorman Reveron, Jhoan Boada, Wilson Juarez, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, and Kelvin Servita Arocha, were charged with assault on a police officer and obstructing governmental investigation. They were released without bail, with Boada later being exonerated after prosecutors determined he was not involved in the incident.
Initially, Brito was also released along with his alleged fellow cop-beaters. However, due to public outcry, he was taken back into custody and ordered to be held on $15,000 cash or a $50,000 bond. This decision was made because Brito was accused of instigating the scuffle with the police and had two pending misdemeanor theft cases. Nevertheless, he was released again in February after Reverend Juan Ruiz, an activist minister from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge, posted the $15,000 bail, citing the church as a sanctuary and assuming Brito’s innocence until proven guilty.
Just two months later, Brito was arrested once more for petit larceny, this time for attempting to steal children’s clothing and fragrances from Macy’s Herald Square flagship store. Judge Laura Ward expressed her anger in Manhattan Criminal Court on the day of his release, warning Brito that any further incidents would result in his immediate incarceration. She emphasized that if he were rearrested for any reason, she would issue a warrant with an extremely high bail, ensuring he would remain in custody until the conclusion of his case.
In response to Brito’s latest arrest, NYC PBA President Patrick Hendry expressed satisfaction that he is back behind bars. Hendry reiterated that the individuals involved in the Times Square assault have shown a complete disregard for the law and cannot be trusted to remain on the streets without causing further harm.
