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(NEW YORK) — Five asylum-seekers have been arrested on charges they assaulted police officers in Midtown Manhattan, the NYPD said.
The assault occurred Saturday afternoon near Times Square as two officers were trying to take a person into custody.
According to police, officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group on West 42nd St. when a physical altercation occurred. When the officers attempted to place an individual in custody, the suspects began to kick and punch the officers, according to the NYPD. The suspects then fled.
The officers sustained minor injuries and were treated on scene.
Five suspects were identified Wednesday as Yorman Reveron, 24; Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, 19; Wilson Juarez, 21; Kelvin Serita Arocha, 19; and Jhoan Boada, 22.
They face charges including assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and gang assault.
Four of the men were arraigned and have been released pending a future court date, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. One of the men received supervised release, the other three were released on their own recognizance. The fifth is awaiting arraignment.
“We are continuing to investigate the incident,” a statement from the DA said. “We now have additional video surveillance that was not available at the time of arraignment and are continuing to speak to witnesses in order to determine the specific role of each defendant.”
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell called the attack of two police officers”reprehensible” and said their attackers were “cowards.”
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