An individual involved in an altercation with two police officers at a shelter in Manhattan has been arrested once again, this time for stealing a woman’s cellphone and credit card. Surprisingly, the individual was released without having to pay bail, according to sources.
Alexander Ayala, 24, faces charges of identity theft and possession of stolen property following an incident on August 12th. The alleged heist occurred around 3:30 p.m. near the intersection of 11th Avenue and West 49th Street, as stated in a criminal complaint.
According to authorities, Ayala allegedly snatched the victim’s card and phone before swiftly making his escape on a bicycle. Later that day, he reportedly attempted to use the woman’s Amazon credit card at Gourmet 45, a deli on Third Avenue, as well as at a T-Mobile store on Lexington Avenue, as stated in the complaint.
The prosecutors have charged him with two counts of third-degree identity theft and one count of criminal possession of stolen property for his alleged crimes.
However, due to the charges not being bail-eligible, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has requested the court to allow Ayala to be released under supervision.
Ayala was allowed to walk on his own recognizance by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Simiyon Haniff.
In May, prosecutors requested the courts to detain Ayala on a combination of cash, insurance, and surety bonds totaling $80,000. This request came after a disturbance at the Roosevelt Hotel shelter, where a group of migrants reportedly assaulted two police officers.
Ayala faced charges of assault and obstruction for his actions that day, including an alleged attempt to take one of the officer’s hats as a souvenir.
However, he and the other defendants were released on supervised release, despite Ayala’s prior criminal record, which includes a domestic violence charge in December.
A confrontation erupted at the Roosevelt around 2:15 p.m. on May 19, prompting a police response to the shelter. The incident involved two groups of migrants and was reported as a dispute.
According to sources, The Post reported that the individuals seeking asylum swiftly surrounded and launched an attack.
During the altercation, one officer sustained injuries to his left arm and left leg, while the other officer suffered head injuries along with wounds on his right elbow and wrist.
Both officers were taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital, and the NYPD apprehended four migrants afterward.
Two individuals, Kennedy Jesus Mavarez Lugo and Nicol Cedeno, have been charged with assaulting a police officer. Another individual, Yhonneiber Milano, faces charges of robbery and obstruction.
Ayala faced charges of attempted robbery for his attempt to snatch the hat. However, court records indicate that the charges have been elevated to assault since that time.
Ayala, who was last known to reside at the Roosevelt, is set to appear in court on September 12 to address charges related to the assault on a police officer as well as the theft of a phone and credit card.
Source: The Post
