Police investigators are working to track down young, alleged gang members in connection with an attack on uniformed police officers in Times Square. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that on Friday night, officers were attempting to thwart an assault in Times Square when a group of young individuals attacked them.
“The officers engaged the group and attempted to break up what appeared to be a wolfpack-style robbery. Instead, they were ambushed, pelted with scooters, basketballs, and other makeshift weapons. This was a targeted attack, planned, deliberate, and carried out with intent. And it will not be tolerated,” Commissioner Tisch said.
The officers were not injured. Investigators arrested several suspects — the youngest just 12 years old, according to police. Three of the suspects are repeat offenders and connected to previous citywide robberies.
Commissioner Tisch said they are facing serious charges, including attempted felony assault, inciting a riot and reckless endangerment.
Gang ties and broader pattern
Authorities believe many of the young individuals involved are part of the Los Diablos 42 gang — a subset of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Police say the group often targets vulnerable individuals, sometimes other migrants and young people, and surround their victims in order to rob and assault them.
Mayor Eric Adams said members of Los Diablos 42 have also been involved in other robberies across New York City.
“That’s why we said we can’t allow them to take a foothold,” Mayor Adams said. “Can you imagine being in Central Park and having twenty people surround you? Or you’re sitting on the subway station, on the train, and having thirteen people surround you. How intimidating that is. These guys are shooting, they’re robbing, they’re committing crimes and they have a total disregard for law enforcement.”
Authorities said several suspects connected to the recent Times Square attack remain at large.
Not the first attack on officers in Times Square
This is not the first time NYPD officers have been targeted in Times Square. In January 2024, police say a group of migrants assaulted uniformed officers as two officers attempted to apprehend a man.
