NEW YORK.- The face of the immigration crisis is personified by Daniel Hernández Martínez, a 29-year-old man who arrived in New York from Venezuela just two months ago.
Martínez has been involved in a series of violent incidents that have drawn the attention of the community and local authorities, generating a debate on immigration control and security in the city.
Since his arrival in New York on June 27, Daniel Hernández Martínez has been arrested and released six different times, facing a total of 14 charges, according to police sources.
The crimes committed by Martínez include everything from petty theft to physical assaults on bystanders and police officers.
The series of incidents
Martínez’s alleged criminal journey began the day after he arrived in the city. According to police, on June 28, Martinez stole a number of items from a Brooklyn Costco, including Nutella, sneakers, hats, Gillette razor blades, and Dove body wash. He was charged with petty theft and released on his own recognizance.
On July 6, he allegedly committed another burglary at a Duane Reade on Columbus Circle in Manhattan, this time taking a “tool kit.”
The next day, Martinez’s actions turned violent when a security guard at a Duane Reade on 35th Street in Manhattan tried to arrest him for stealing a bag of potato chips and toothpaste.
At this point, Martínez pulled out a large knife and advanced on a plainclothes officer, uttering incomprehensible threats, according to court documents.
On July 31, Martinez attacked Jeffrey Bradac, a 52-year-old freelance journalist, with a bicycle tire in front of the Row Hotel, a migrant shelter in Times Square, for no apparent reason.
Bradac, who had previously interviewed Martinez, was taken aback by the attack. “I did a friendly interview with the guy,” Bradac said. “He hit me with the bicycle tire and I called the police.”
Martinez was arrested a week later when Bradac, who had filed a criminal complaint, saw him again in front of the hotel and notified police who were stationed there.
Attack on a woman in Midtown
On August 21, Martinez was involved in a violent attack on a woman in Midtown, according to police.
He allegedly grabbed a stranger by the hair, dragged her to the ground, and punched her on West 45th Street around 1 a.m.
Martínez was charged with threats, assault, criminal damage and possession of a weapon, and was placed on supervised release, according to court records.
Three days later, on August 28, he was arrested for using a large metal pipe to break locks and steal bicycles in Times Square, according to police.
He was charged with petty theft, criminal damage, and possession of stolen property and burglary tools. During his arrest, Martinez assaulted a police officer who was trying to change his handcuffs, kicking him twice in the shins and stomping on his foot, records show.
The prosecution, in an attempt to ensure public safety, requested a $10,000 bond and a $10,000 guarantee for the assault on a police officer case. However, the judge set a $5,000 bond and Martinez was sent to Rikers Island.
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2023-09-03 19:17:33
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