Illegal immigrants who allegedly attacked NYPD officers released without bail by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg

A group of men believed to be illegal immigrants have been released without bail by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after being hit with a slew of charges in connection with brutally beating two New York Police Department officers outside a shelter near Times Square on Saturday. 

Five were arrested on the spot, while two others were taken into custody on Wednesday. Authorities are still searching for more people suspected of having participated in the attack.

According to ABC7, the incident took place around 8:30 p.m. outside the Candler Building at 220 West 42nd Street. When two officers told the group of men to stop standing in front of the migrant shelter, they were attacked.  

One of the officers suffered cuts to his face while the other was bruised all over his body as the result of being kicked multiple times. 

The suspects attempted to flee, but officers managed to apprehend some of them. 

Those arrested include Yorman Reveron, 24, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, 19, Wilson Juarez, 21, Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19, Jhoan Boada, 22, Yohenry Brito, 24, and Jandry Barros.

Reveron, Gomez-Izquiel, Juarez, and Arocha were each charged with assault on a police officer, gang assault, obstructing governmental administration, and disorderly conduct, while Boada was charged with an attempted assault on a police officer and gang assault. Brito and Barros have been charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of assault on a police officer.

Reveron also has two prior arrests. In November, he allegedly assaulted a retail employee when the worker attempted to stop him from shoplifting. Last month as well, he was accused of punching a Macy’s employee when he was robbing the store.

All were released without bail by Bragg. 

"Violence against police officers is never acceptable," the DA said following the incident. "It is paramount that we conclusively identified each defendant and specify each participant's role in the incident. Every defendant charged so far is facing felony charges that carry a penalty of up to seven years." 

The Police Benevolent Association's president, Patrick Hendry, slammed Bragg over his decision to let the alleged violent offenders when at least Reveron had been arrested previously. 

"Attacks on police officers are becoming an epidemic, and the reason is a revolving door we're seeing in cases like this one," he said. "It is impossible for police officers to deal effectively with crime and disorder if the justice system can't or won't protect us while we do that work."