Teen suspected in attack on 2 NYPD officers in Times Square arrested again in Queens
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- A 19-year-old suspected of attacking two police officers in Times Square last month was arrested again after allegedly shoplifting and attacking a loss prevention employee of Macy's in Queens.
Darwin Gomez-Izquiel was taken into custody at the Queens Center Mall around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Police say he was part of a group that stole $600 worth of clothing from the department store and punched the Macy's employee who was trying to stop them. The store employee suffered minor injuries.
Gomez-Izquiel was charged with robbery and petit larceny. The big question now is if a judge will set bail after he is suspected in two serious offenses in less than a month.
He had been arrested previously for his alleged role in the January 27 attack on the officers and was released without bail.
He was allegedly part of the group of seven who kicked and punched the pair of officers, an attack that was caught on their bodycam.
"Those who attack NYC police officers have zero respect for the law. This is EXACTLY what happens when our justice system fails to hold them accountable - they are emboldened to victimize other New Yorkers. He needs to be put back behind bars ... and kept there," the Police Benevolent Association said in a statement.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, a 17-year-old was arrested in the Bronx and was held without bail during a brief arraignment in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon.
Yarwuin Madris pleaded not guilty to second degree assault charge for his role in the Jan. 27 attack. Prosecutors, who are charging Madris as an adult, questioned the age he gave, saying they believe he may be in his 20s.
Madris was taken into custody in the Bronx in the company of two other suspects -- 21-year-old Wilson Juarez and 19-year-old Kelvin Servita Arocha. Authorities initially believed they were on a bus heading to the California/Mexico border after attacking the officers.
Those two are now being held by law enforcement pending their next court appearance in the officer attack.
"Yesterday the NYPD arrested another individual in the Bronx pursuant to an arrest warrant stemming from our indictment. Wilson Juarez and Kelvin Servita Arocha were in the same apartment when that arrest occurred - contrary to widespread misinformation they had fled New York City on a bus. Five of the individuals charged in this incident are currently in law enforcement custody, and our investigation with the NYPD remains ongoing," a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
The eighth person arrested in the attack was picked up at the Randalls Island migrant shelter. Ulises Bohorquez, 21, is charged with assault on a police officer.
Meanwhile, the only suspect held on bail for attacking the officers- 19-year-old Yohenry Brito -- was able to post his $15,000 bail Tuesday and was released. It is believed that Brito's arrest outside the shelter sparked the larger assault.
ALSO READ | New police body cam video shows Times Square attack on NYPD officers
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