A group linked to the Tren de Aragua gang confronted two NYPD officers in Times Square during a recent incident that marks another troubling moment for the city, just two years after a similar clash at a tourist site.
This chaotic encounter happened after a boxing match featuring Ryan Garcia and Rory Romero on Friday night. Officers attempted to intervene as a crowd of exiles sought to rob some young individuals. By Sunday afternoon, authorities had arrested at least three individuals, including a 12-year-old who appears to be a key figure. The group is believed to be connected to a Venezuelan gang known as Diablos de la 42.
Authorities have already linked these gang members to a series of audacious robberies in Central Park. During the latest intervention, one suspect was caught attempting to pull off another theft.
“Is this really a sanctuary city?” one exasperated officer asked, noting that one of the suspects was just 11 years old during a previous robbery in Central Park.
“What needs to change in policy when 11- or 12-year-olds are running around committing these crimes?” the officer continued, expressing frustration over the situation and the perceived lack of moral accountability.
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that two of the detainees, ages 16 and 17, face charges for obstructing government administration, rioting, and making threats.
Meanwhile, the younger suspect has been detained and is being investigated for his involvement with at least three gangs connected to these events.
Authorities noted that all detainees were residing at the Low Hotel in Manhattan, which serves as one of the many locations for asylum seekers funded by taxpayers.
New York City has dubbed itself a sanctuary city, welcoming thousands of immigrants from the southern border since 2022. However, this influx has strained city resources and created challenges for the NYPD, leading to the establishment of tent cities, repurposed schools, and even churches to manage the increased criminal activity in city hotels and temporary shelters.
The incident from Friday bears a striking resemblance to a January 2024 attack, when two urban officers were assaulted by immigrants while trying to break up a disorderly crowd in Times Square. In that case, most of the suspects were either released or awaiting trial.
