Authorities have reported that a teenage associate of Tren DeLagua, a notorious gang from Venezuela, was involved in an incident where two NYPD officers were attacked in Times Square on Friday night. Five suspects, all illegal immigrants from Venezuela, have been arrested. They allegedly participated in a violent confrontation, throwing glass bottles and other objects at officers who were responding to a robbery.
The youngest arrestee was just 12 years old. Reports indicate that two of the youths were picked up by their immigrant parents, while one faced adult charges relating to the riots and assaults. Mayor Eric Adams expressed his concern during a press briefing, stating, “It’s frightening enough to be a victim of a crime, but when someone attacks a police officer, they’re assaulting the very symbol of our safety, which is simply unacceptable.”
Adams mentioned receiving feedback from community members who believed the young suspect should not face harsh consequences, but he disagreed, emphasizing the need for accountability. “The protection of innocent people must be prioritized,” he insisted.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the situation, revealing that the attack occurred amidst a disturbance near a major boxing match. According to her statement, officers tried to disperse a group of around 10 to 12 people, suspected to be participating in a robbery, but were instead caught off guard. She characterized the attack as deliberate and condemned the violence that targeted law enforcement.
Hours after the attack, police quickly identified members of Tren de Lagua’s violent subgroup, Los Diablos de 42, as the suspects. Tisch cited their previous entries in the gang database as a contributing factor to their swift capture. She also cautioned city officials against undermining the law enforcement resources by eliminating the gang database.
As of now, authorities have detained five individuals linked to this incident. Within 24 hours, three were arrested, all known offenders associated with a pattern of citywide robberies. The fourth suspect voluntarily surrendered, and the latest arrest involved a 16-year-old repeat offender. Tisch criticized what she saw as inadequate crime policies, declaring that organized violence has escalated to the point where gang members are ambushing police officers. “This is not random; it’s a systemic failure,” she added.
Police sources linked the young individual to numerous robberies in New York since 2022, noting that previous arrests led to their immediate release. On Tuesday, the NYPD confirmed the arrests of two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, connected to the Friday incident. The younger suspect faces charges including second-degree obstruction and riots, while the older teen is charged with more serious offenses, including attempting to assault officers and possession of weapons.
Additionally, an adult suspect named Yeferxon Jose Mijares Hernandez, 19, was apprehended on Sunday and charged similarly. Reports stated that prior to the attack, officers observed a melee at an intersection and attempted to intervene, only to face aggression from the crowd.
The chaotic scene unfolded during a significant boxing match in Times Square, where Ryan Garcia battled Roland “Rolly” Romero, culminating in Romero’s victory.
