According to law enforcement sources, two groups of brawling migrants attacked a pair of NYPD officers who intervened to break up a fight at the Roosevelt Hotel on May 19. The cops were assaulted and one was bitten during the altercation.
Both officers sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. Four migrants were arrested, three of whom had prior arrests.
The incident took place at the 45th Street hotel, which now houses asylum seekers. The police responded to a reported dispute between the migrants around 2:15 p.m. on May 19.
Inside the hotel, the officers were surrounded by the two groups, reminiscent of a previous attack on NYPD officers in Times Square. One officer was bitten on the arm and bruised on the leg, while the other suffered injuries to the head, elbow, and wrist.
During the scuffle, one of the officer’s cameras fell off and was stolen. Both officers were taken to Mount Sinai West in stable condition.
One of the hotel residents, Kennedy Jesus Mavarez Lugo, 29, was charged with assaulting a police officer. Another resident, Nicol Cedeno, 24, was also charged with assaulting an officer.
Additionally, Alexander Ayala, 24, and Yhonneiber Milano, 19, faced charges related to the incident. Prosecutors requested bonds for each defendant, and all were granted supervised release by a judge.
This altercation is just one of several violent encounters between migrants and law enforcement in New York. Last month, a group of Venezuelan migrants attacked NYPD officers after being caught stealing from a Target store.
In January, a mob of migrants also attacked NYPD officers in Times Square. Several individuals have been charged in connection to the incident and some have been offered plea deals.
The Roosevelt Hotel, currently housing asylum seekers, is expected to be replaced by a new mega-tower once the migrants move out, possibly by the end of the year.
