A violent group affiliated with the notorious Tren de Aragua gang ambushed two NYPD officers in Times Square in a disturbing, caught-on-camera incident — marking the second time in under two years that migrants have launched a brutal assault against police in the heart of New York City.
The ambush occurred late Friday night following the boxing match between Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero. Law enforcement sources said the officers were trying to stop a group of asylum seekers from mugging two teenagers when they were suddenly attacked.
By Sunday afternoon, authorities had taken at least three suspects into custody, including a 12-year-old believed to be the group’s leader. The suspects were identified as part of a younger faction of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang known as Diablos de la 42, or Devils of 42nd Street, according to the same sources.
Officials said that several individuals involved in the attack were already wanted in connection with a series of brazen thefts in Central Park. The assault on the officers took place while the suspects were attempting another robbery, only to be intercepted by the NYPD.
“Is this what a sanctuary city is supposed to be?” one disillusioned officer asked. “One of these kids was 11 years old when he was the ringleader of that Central Park robbery pattern.”
“What is it going to take for some of this policy to change when you have an 11, now 12-year-old, running around — or anybody — committing these crimes?” the source said. “When is common sense going to prevail? Don’t we have a moral obligation?”
On Sunday, an NYPD representative confirmed that a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old had been arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration, riot, and menacing. The 17-year-old was additionally charged with assaulting a police officer, reckless endangerment, and possessing a weapon.
A 14-year-old suspect was also charged, while the 12-year-old alleged leader was released after being taken into custody, pending a hearing in family court. Police said three more suspects are being actively investigated for their roles in the incident.
Due to their young ages, officials have not released any of the suspects’ names.
Authorities reported that the individuals involved were staying at the Row Hotel in Manhattan — one of many facilities across the city currently being used to shelter migrants at the expense of taxpayers.
New York City’s sanctuary city policy, which began welcoming thousands of border crossers in 2022, has made it possible for criminal elements like gang members to infiltrate the migrant population and enter the country under the radar.
The influx has placed significant strain on the city’s resources and law enforcement, leaving the NYPD struggling to manage a wave of crimes emanating from shelters, including two large tent encampments, repurposed schools, and even houses of worship.
This latest assault bore a chilling resemblance to an earlier incident in January 2024, when another gang of migrants attacked two officers in Times Square while they tried to disperse an unruly mob.
All but one of the perpetrators from the January attack have either been sentenced or released. One suspect is still awaiting trial.

{Matzav.com}