An individual of curiosity needed in Saturday night time’s botched automotive theft that left an off-duty NYPD officer in grave situation, preventing for his life, is in police custody, a number of legislation enforcement sources instructed Information 4.
The event got here Monday, two days after the 26-year-old officer was shot in the top when gunfire erupted behind a McDonald’s off Ruby Road in East New York. NYPD officers mentioned he and his brother-in-law had gone there to purchase a automotive after making a deal on Fb Market. The purported vendor drew weapons and demanded cash, then shot the cop.
The officer’s identify hasn’t been launched.
After the cop went down, sources mentioned the officer’s brother-in-law eliminated a firearm from his holster and returned hearth. The suspect ran to an awaiting black SUV and rode off. That getaway automotive was later discovered in Manhattan, sources mentioned.
The particular person of curiosity, a 38-year-old man, was tracked right down to a resort in Rockland County and brought into police custody Monday afternoon, in accordance with sources with direct data of the investigation. A legislation enforcement supply accustomed to the incident mentioned he was along with his spouse and children on the time of his arrest. New video from the Days Inn in Nanuet confirmed an SUV that will have belonged to him being towed away.
NBC New York obtained photographs of the person being restrained in handcuffs outdoors the resort room officers discovered him in. Sources mentioned officers had been ready for a warrant to look the resort room.
Investigators are additionally wanting into whether or not Saturday’s case could also be half of a sample.
Mayor Eric Adams mentioned the officer, a five-year veteran assigned to patrol, is married with two youngsters.
“Too many illegal guns are in the hands of bad people and doing bad things,” the mayor mentioned. “I spoke with the officer’s wife, saw his beautiful children. We’re all lifting his family up in prayer. We will catch the person responsible for this.”
It was the second taking pictures of an NYPD officer in lower than three weeks, following a Jan. 17 incident in the Bronx. The cop in that case, who was on patrol on the time, was shot in the arm – allegedly by a 16-year-old gunman.
The officer is preventing for his life in a Brooklyn hospital, in accordance with Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Mayor Eric Adams.