2 arrested, charged in attempted robbery of off-duty officer in Bronx

TREMONT, Bronx (WABC) -- Two men have been arrested and charged in the apparent attempted robbery of an off-duty NYPD sergeant in the Bronx early Monday.

One of the men was shot by the officer during the incident.

Michael Monserrate, 18, of the Bronx, who is still hospitalized at St. Barnabas Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, has been charged with numerous counts of robbery as well as menacing and a weapon charge. Lucas Javier, 17, of the Bronx, also has been charged with several counts of robbery as well as a weapon charge and criminal possession of stolen property.

The investigation is ongoing.

Around 4 a.m. Monday, officials said the 32-year-old officer had just gotten off work and was heading home. Police said three suspects surrounded him at the corner of Creston Avenue and East 179th Street, pulled out knives that were recovered at the scene, and took the officer's cell phone. Then they spotted the officer's shield, pulled out a gun and in Spanish yelled, "Shoot him, shoot him."

But the officer was able to pull out his weapon and open fire. He hit one of the men in the torso. Two other suspects ran down Creston Avenue.

In the minutes after, police tried to find the two suspects, but the pair slipped away.

The officer was not injured, but he was taken to Bronx Lebanon Hospital to be checked out.