A man was arrested for a racially charged spitting incident that targeted four white women in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, last week, but he was released the following day, according to reports.
The individual, Anthony Caines, a 45-year-old black man, was taken into custody on November 13 after a two-day spree of spitting. He pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated racial and religious harassment, as indicated by court documents.
Caines has a criminal history that includes domestic violence and contempt of court. Despite this, he was granted supervised release.
One of the alleged victims, speaking anonymously, expressed her feelings of violation, saying, “It was on my face everywhere. It was crazy, to be honest.”
This victim, a college student, was shocked when the attack occurred outside 285 Broadway at around 10:05 a.m. on November 11.
The indictment outlines three similar incidents that took place in Williamsburg on November 11 and 12, in which Caines spat directly at women he passed on the street without provocation.
“I was completely caught off guard,” she recalled. “It was in the morning, I was half asleep. He came over, spat on me, and kept talking. Then I thought, ‘What just happened? Can I just be okay with this and move on with my day?’
The second incident took place less than two hours later at the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Grand Street, followed by a third attack at Marcy Avenue and South Fourth Street at 10:40 p.m. The fourth incident occurred at 8 a.m. the next day outside 186 Grand Street.
Thanks to security cameras, police were able to locate Caines easily.
Nobody was charged with felonies in these incidents, and Caines was meant to remain in custody.
City Councilman Robert Holden commented on the situation, stating, “This is what happens when Kathy Hochul’s bail reform experiment and the left’s religious experiment release violent criminals with no consequences. Until the state Legislature repeals these terrible policies, New Yorkers, especially women, will continue to be victimized on our streets.”
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is considering reaching out to other potential victims who haven’t yet come forward.
Attempts to obtain any comments from Caines were unsuccessful.
