An off-duty NYPD officer was carjacked in Harlem by two armed males who were thought to be migrants from Venezuela, one of whom had a fully automatic weapon, according to law enforcement officials.
According to sources, the males approached the officer at West 146 Street and Bradhurst Avenue at 11:30 p.m. on Friday while he was seated in his own 2020 BMW.
The individuals were armed and had tattoos that appeared to be related to a group from Venezuela.
After shoving the officer’s gun from his grasp, one of them made a demand for his keys.
The Post was informed by law enforcement sources that the two then took off into the night in the officer’s car.
Image – New York Post
According to sources, one of the firearms in the heinous incident had a Glock switch, which made it fully automatic—something that is uncommon in New York City.
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The police officer’s iPad, which he used to locate the car, was inside the car.
According to sources, it was discovered empty at West 138th Street and Broadway, less than a mile distant.
After searching the area, police found the suspects.
Additionally, two guns were found.
Although neither man had on his identification, they gave police the identities of Jomar Crespo, 21, and Jose Rivera, 20, along with their common address in Waterbury, Connecticut.
According to sources, authorities think the suspect provided false names.
Both Rivera and Crespo faced charges related to robbery, grand theft auto, machine gun possession, possession of a loaded handgun, possession of stolen property, modifying a pistol to fire quickly, and illegal possession of an ammunition feed system.
This is the second attack on the NYPD in a month that has been connected to immigration.
Two police officers were injured when a 19-year-old immigrant associated with a Venezuelan gang opened fire on them earlier in June.
After his arrest, Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, who entered the country illegally in Texas in July, reportedly told authorities that he was pushed to get unique tattoos to symbolize his commitment and that he was recruited by a deadly Venezuelan gang in New York City.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.