5 suspects in Times Square assault on officers held on bail after arraignment
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Five defendants were arraigned Friday on charges stemming from a caught-on-camera assault of an NYPD lieutenant and officer in Times Square last month.
Police say these five are part of the group that attacked two NYPD officers on January 27.
They were all held on bail Friday -- an about-face by a court system that had been criticized for being too lenient in the case.
Yohenry Brito, who was allegedly seen wrestling with the officers on the pavement, pleaded not guilty and was remanded back into custody until the judge can determine the sources of his bail money. Brito previously posted $15,000 cash.
Yorman Reveron pleaded not guilty and was taken into custody after prosecutors requested $100,000 bail. He is accused of interfering with the arrest by grabbing and shoving the officers and was out on supervised release up until Friday.
Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19, and Wilson Juarez, 21, who were among the first defendants arrested, pleaded not guilty. Arocha has been detailed by ICE. Judge set bail in the criminal case at $15,000.
Juarez has also been detained by ICE. The judge ordered him held on just a $1 bail after his lawyer argued he wasn't charged with assaulting the cops, but rather tampering with evidence.
"Once the video footage came out it was clear -- Mr. Juarez was not involved in any physical altercation with police but unfortunately his picture continues to be spread around. Mr. Juarez was working - sending money back home to his family," defense attorney Adrienne Edward said.
Defense lawyers denied they had fled New York on a bus to California, as had been rumored. Federal authorities say they are reputed members of a Venezuelan gang.
The judge set bail at $50,000 cash for Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel who pleaded not guilty. Authorities say the 19-year-old is charged in the theft for allegedly stealing $600 worth of merchandise from Macy's in Queens this week. The group he was with is also accused of punching the Macy's loss prevention employee who was trying to stop them.
All four suspects who allegedly participated in the theft of clothing at the Macy's have been taken into custody.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said he wanted to make it clear that "New York City police officers are not going to be punching bags on the streets on the city of New York."
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has secured indictments for seven suspects in the Times Square attack.
Two others were arraigned earlier this week.
"The assault on our police officers in Times Square was despicable and we do not tolerate this type of attack. The seven defendants indicted have now appeared in court, and because of our thorough investigation we can present our case and hold them fully accountable for their actions. Our investigation into the incident with the NYPD remains ongoing and we are working with our law enforcement partners to apprehend the remaining individuals involved," Bragg said.
ALSO READ | New police body cam video shows Times Square attack on NYPD officers
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