An assailant wearing a mask punched an unsuspecting police officer, while his partner attempted to arrest another man wanted for robbery in University Heights on Tuesday. A separate altercation ensued shortly afterwards between a female member of the public and a police officer at the same location.

 

Some of the fracas has been captured on video and is circulating on social media. The news comes as NYPD’s resources continue to be stretched due to absences tied to the coronavirus, as well as additional obligations relating to social distancing enforcement during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Police said that at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Apr. 7, as a police officer was attempting to arrest 27-year-old Yoemdy Castro of University Heights, near the north west corner of Davidson Avenue and West 183 Street, 31-year-old Nelson Jimenez, also from University Heights, approached the police officer and his partner. Police said Jimenez was ordered to step back and disperse but disregarded instructions.

 

In a video circulating on social media, Jimenez can later be seen approaching the arresting officer’s partner from behind and punching him in the face. He then flees the scene on foot. Police said he was apprehended a short distance away close to a nearby convenience store, where they said he kicked an officer in the groin and thigh area and further resisted arrest while being handcuffed. They said the officer who was assaulted refused medical attention at the scene.

 

Jimenez was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, obstructing governmental administration​, assault​, two counts of disorderly conduct, and two counts of harassment. The Bronx District Attorney’s office said he was remanded for psychological examination.

 

Meanwhile, the D.A.’s office said Castro, who was also arrested at the scene, was charged with two counts of robbery, grand larceny​, petit larceny​, criminal possession of stolen property​, menacing​ and harassment.

 

25-year-old Brandee Isom​, also of University Heights, was also arrested at the scene. Police said that Isom, an apparent female witness to the attempted arrest of Castro, was given multiple orders to give space to the officers to allow them to carry out the arrests of Castro and Yoemdy, and ignored their orders. Police said that Isom struck one officer with a closed fist to the right side of the jaw, and that the officer refused medical attention at the scene.​ The same officer is seen in a video punching Isom.

 

​

Isom was charged with assault on a police officer​ and obstructing governmental administration.​ A video showing the altercation with the police officer and her subsequent arrest is included in an article posted by the New York Daily News.

 

The incident has provoked mixed reactions. One man who was recording the events as they unfolded can be heard in the video saying repeatedly, “Don’t hit a female. That’s a female. Don’t hit a female” as one police officer attempts to block Isom from interfering with the arrest of Castro.

 

The same man apparently is also heard shouting to Jimenez, “Run, run” as he attempts to flee the scene, after punching one of the officers. While some bystanders appeared bemused by the whole incident and can be heard laughing in the video, others appear distressed at the subsequent altercation between Isom and the police officer.

 

Meanwhile on social media, after the video footage was circulated, some appeared shocked by the lack of support for the police as they continue to carry out their regular duties amid the COVID-19 crisis. NYPD confirmed as of Thursday, April 9, 2020, that 7,155 uniformed members of the NYPD were on sick leave which accounts for 19.8% of the Department’s uniformed workforce. They confirmed that currently, 2,204 uniformed members and 408 civilian members have tested positive for the coronavirus.

 

The Sergeants Benevolent Association tweeted out a video which does not include the altercation between the police officer and Isom, with the accompanying comment, “NYC people are dying, and suffering as COVID-19 plagues thousands but the same scumbags continue to roam the streets of NYC and attack NYPD cops. Sadly the wrong people are suffering. Welcome to DeBlasios NYC”.

NYC people are dying, and suffering as COVID-19 plagues thousands but the same scumbags continue to roam the streets of NYC and attack NYPD cops. Sadly the wrong people are suffering. Welcome to DeBlasios NYC pic.twitter.com/St6UoXV9wZ

— SBA (@SBANYPD) April 8, 2020

 

According to a story reported on Apr. 9 by the Washington Examiner, Isom’s lawyer requested that she be released without bail on the grounds that she is categorized as an essential worker during the current pandemic because she delivers medicine to sick people, but that the request was refused. The Bronx District Attorney’s office said Isom’s bail was set at $5,000.

 

When asked about the incident involving Isom, and if there had been any repercussions for the police officer who is seen punching her in the video, a spokesperson for the NYPD said, “We are satisfied that any force used in the apprehension was appropriate. And any other force used was in response to attack. This was an assault on police and to suggest otherwise is offensive.”

 

Norwood News tried to locate witnesses to this incident via social media, without success. Any witnesses are welcome to contact us about this story. We can be reached at smoloney@norwoodnews.org or by calling 718-324-4998.

 

Additionally, anyone with information with regard to this incident should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.