The man accused of stealing a $3,000 gold-plated rose from a church's 9/11 memorial will list a series of crimes prosecutors say he committed within the last month during his arraignment Saturday night. Inside, he was laughing.
Daiker Alcantara, 21, fidgeted, smiled and laughed as the courtroom listened to his heartless actions as he was reprimanded by Judge Simillon Hanif for his egregious behavior.
“I don't know if you think this is strange, but they are trying to get bail,” the judge said as prosecutors detailed Alcantara's alleged crimes.
Authorities said Alcantara was seen by security guards entering St. Francis of Assis Church on West 31st Street, where he made a beeline for the golden rose that is the centerpiece of the 9/11 memorial. It is said that he has advanced to
The security guard said he continued his patrol after warning Alcantara not to touch the monument, when prosecutors said Alcantara plucked a gold-plated rose and fled.
The rose has not yet been recovered.
Authorities said Alcantara had been committing crimes alone over the last month.
Police said the suspect attacked an elderly man with a metal pipe on October 24th. He is charged with second-degree assault in the incident, which left the victim with an arm injury.
The punk also had other misdemeanors, but the details are unknown.
Alcantara continued to laugh as the assistant district attorney testified in court about his heinous act.
“I want the record to reflect that this defendant was smiling the entire time,” Judge Hanif said. “This is a big joke to him, but this is what it is. This is a big joke to you, right?”
Alcantara was taken to police by his father on Friday night.
He was ordered held on $75,000 bail.
He is charged with grand larceny for stealing the roses.
Alcantara is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.
