NEW YORK, NY – Four men allegedly involved in the assault of NYPD officers outside a Times Square shelter have reportedly fled to California using fake names to obtain tickets, according to police sources. After being released without bail, the men visited a Catholic church, where they provided false names and a fabricated story in order to secure their tickets to the Golden State.
As of Thursday night, their exact whereabouts were unknown. The men were released without bail after being arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, leading to outrage from law enforcement officials. The attack occurred when officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group outside the Candler Building on W. 42nd St. near Seventh Ave. Surveillance video released by the NYPD shows the officers being attacked when attempting to arrest a man wearing a yellow jacket, identified as Yohenry Brito. Chief of Patrol John Chell reported that both officers sustained injuries in the attack.
The suspects, Yorman Reveron, 24, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, 19, Wilson Juarez, 21, Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19, and Jhoan Boada, 22, were apprehended at the scene, while Brito, 24, and Jandry Barros, 21, were subsequently captured. However, it was unclear which suspects were headed to California.
Lou Turco, President of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association, expressed little surprise, stating, “We’ve become the catch-and-release city.” Manhattan Criminal Court ordered Brito to be held on a $15,000 cash and $50,000 Insurance Company Bond, while Barros was released Thursday night after being held for several hours.
Police are still searching for five individuals believed to be involved in the assault. With uncertainty surrounding the release of Barros and questions about his involvement in the incident, it is evident that the investigation into the attack continues.