NEW YORK — Yohenry Brito, one of the men accused of assaulting two members of the NYPD in Times Square, is set to appear in court on Tuesday. Brito, believed to be one of the 13 migrants involved in the attack on January 27, is the only suspect held on bail, with a cash amount of $15,000. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg plans to present additional evidence to a grand jury later today, potentially leading to indictments for Brito and other suspects involved in the case.
Bragg has identified Brito as the suspect seen in video footage wearing yellow and engaging in a physical altercation with officers during their attempt to apprehend him. The 24-year-old has been held on cash bail for nearly a week due to his involvement in the Times Square assault. Bragg revealed that Brito had a prior conviction for disorderly conduct and was also subject to a bench warrant for his arrest in two ongoing cases.
Five other individuals charged in connection with the Times Square attack have been released, with sources indicating that most of them boarded a bus headed towards Mexico. Governor Kathy Hochul expressed disappointment at their release on their own recognizance, stating, “That was an abhorrent act, and anyone who thinks they should’ve been let loose, I have a big disagreement with.” Hochul’s stance contrasts with Mayor Eric Adams, who supported the DA’s decision not to request bail, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the accuracy of evidence before holding individuals accountable.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. “We believe some of the people that participated in that may have gang ties to Venezuela. That’s based on social media, tattoos, and statements made while in custody,” Kenny revealed.
Immigrant advocacy groups have called on the NYPD to release body camera footage from the assault. Make the Road New York, in a statement, emphasized the importance of due process for all New Yorkers, regardless of their background. They criticized attempts to vilify immigrant communities and roll back policies that have contributed to the safety of the city’s residents. The NYPD has not yet confirmed whether they will release the requested footage.
The court date for the remaining suspects arrested is scheduled for February 20.
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I’m curious to know the author’s thoughts on the recent incident involving Yohenry Brito and the assault on two members of the NYPD in Times Square. What are your opinions on this matter?