An 11-year-old migrant boy has been arrested for a violent subway robbery in New York City.
The child was arrested after a subway rider was punched in the head and had his phone stolen onboard a Manhattan-bound 7 train on Tuesday evening just before 9 p.m.
A 17-year-old was also arrested in connection to the attack, which occurred near the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue stop in Queens. BREAKING: An 11-year-old and a 17-year-old migrant were arrested after a subway rider in New York City was punched in the head and had his phone stolen during a violent robbery.
The two suspects were caught just hours later near the Roosevelt Hotel migrant shelter, funded by… pic.twitter.com/sPzCRnrRID
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) August 14, 2024
According to a report from the New York Post, the two minors were arrested hours later near the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, which has been converted into a migrant shelter. Police were able to locate them with the help of the victim tracking his phone's location. JUST IN: 11-year-old migrant boy from Venezuela arrested after being identified as the “primary aggressor” in a violent subway robbery in NYC.
The boy and a 17-year-old accomplice allegedly punched a straphanger in the head and stole his phone.
The victim, with help from the… pic.twitter.com/WlpUN2Jl6Q
— Hank ™ (@HANKonX) August 14, 2024
The victim told police that the younger boy was the "primary aggressor" in the assault and robbery. He was issued a juvenile report and released to his guardian.
"Sources said the younger suspect is a migrant from Venezuela, though it wasn’t immediately clear if he was staying at the Roosevelt Hotel shelter," The Post reports. "It is unclear if the 17-year-old alleged perp is also a migrant."
The 17-year-old was taken into custody on a juvenile report. It is unclear if he was also released.
On the same as the subway attack, John Chell, the NYPD's chief of patrol, blasted New York's sanctuary city status after a migrant from Nicaragua and an accomplice reportedly raped a woman at knifepoint.
"People from across the globe come to NYC in pursuit of a better life — the American Dream," Chell wrote in a post on X. "However, a small portion have other intentions, including committing crimes and preying on the people of New York City. Daniel Davon-Bonilla is one such predator." People from across the globe come to NYC in pursuit of a better life—the American Dream. However, a small portion have other intentions, including committing crimes and preying on the people of New York City. Daniel Davon-Bonilla is one such predator.
When will our sanctuary…
— NYPD Chief of Patrol (@NYPDChiefPatrol) August 13, 2024
Davon-Bonilla was previously jailed for sexually assaulting another woman. He was released less than two months ago.
