NEW YORK, NY – Four men who were released without bail after allegedly attacking NYPD cops outside a Times Square migrant shelter have reportedly fled to California using fake names to acquire tickets, according to police sources.
The men visited a Catholic church on Thursday, providing officials with false identities and fabricating a story about needing assistance to travel to the Golden State. They were provided with tickets and departed the city, with their exact whereabouts remaining unknown as of Thursday night.
The suspects were captured on surveillance video attacking officers as they attempted to intervene in a disorderly group outside the Candler Building on W. 42nd St. near Seventh Ave. The incident left two officers with scratches, bumps, and bruises. Five of the twelve involved suspects have not yet been apprehended.
The release of the suspects without bail has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials, with one source expressing concern that they could potentially skip their next court date, resulting in a warrant for their arrest. This has reignited debate regarding the city’s catch-and-release policy and the handling of asylum seekers.
In response to the incident, the president of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association expressed little surprise at the suspects’ decision to leave the city. Meanwhile, a Manhattan Criminal Court judge ordered one of the suspects to be held on a $15,000 cash bond and a $50,000 Insurance Company Bond. Additionally, another suspect was released after prosecutors expressed uncertainty about the accuracy of the arrest.
Despite ongoing efforts to locate the remaining suspects, their motivations for traveling to California using false identities remain unclear. The case has raised concerns about the handling of such violent incidents and the potential risk posed by the release of suspects without bail.