A group of illegal aliens are now facing gang assault charges after reportedly attacking two NYPD officers outside a Queens hotel shelter, as per prosecutors and law enforcement sources on Tuesday.
The altercation occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m. Monday, when the cops were checking on three unsupervised children outside the converted Long Island City hotel where ‘asylum seekers’ are housed. The suspects allegedly launched a physical attack as the officers tried to ensure the kids’ safety.
“In an effort to check on the children’s safety, they approached a nearby group of adults to make sure that the children were being supervised,” stated Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
“At that point, a group of approximately five adults began punching, kicking, and shoving the officers – with two assailants throwing bikes and striking the cops,” Katz elaborated.
Law enforcement reported that all four individuals—Juan Munoz (25), Alejandro Munoz (42), Karina Navarro-Chavez (42), and Miguel Chiluisa (23)—are migrants living in city-funded sites.
During their arraignment before Judge Edward Daniels, they were charged with assault, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and child endangerment in the case of Juan and Alejandro Munoz, and Navarro-Chavez. Furthermore, Chiluisa, who fled the scene and was apprehended nearly an hour later, faces additional second and third-degree escape charges.
The suspected offenders were brought before Judge Daniels, who set bail at $50,000 in cash or a $150,000 bond for each. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Friday.
The injured officers received treatment at a local hospital for injuries, including abrasions and shoulder pain.