11 Alleged Teen Tren de Aragua Gang Members Attack NYPD Officers in Times Square: Police

Chaos erupted in Times Square Friday night when a group of alleged teenage gang members—linked to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua—allegedly ambushed NYPD officers with bottles, rocks, scooters, and even basketballs, according to police.

The suspects, mostly illegal immigrants from Venezuela, reportedly attacked the officers as they tried to break up what appeared to be a wolfpack-style robbery. Eleven teens were involved in the altercation, with five already arrested. Police say the youngest was just 12 years old. One suspect is being charged as an adult with riot and assault.

Mayor Eric Adams didn’t mince words. “It’s horrific enough to be a victim of a crime. But when someone openly assaults a police officer, you are attacking our symbol of safety, and it cannot be tolerated,” he said in a briefing.

Violence in the Heart of the City

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack took place around 7:30 p.m. near 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, just a block away from a major boxing event. Officers attempted to stop what looked like an attempted robbery—but instead, they were met with a violent ambush.

“They were pelted with scooters, basketballs, and other makeshift weapons,” Tisch explained. “This was a planned and deliberate attack. It will not be tolerated.”

Police quickly identified the suspects as members of Los Diablos de 42, a subset of Tren de Aragua. Multiple individuals were already listed in the department’s gang database—something Tisch says helped catch them fast.

Gang Ties and Repeat Offenders

“Three were arrested the next day. All had prior records and were tied to previous robbery patterns,” Tisch said. A fourth turned himself in, and a fifth—described as a 16-year-old repeat offender—was caught Tuesday morning.

She emphasized this isn’t minor crime: “This is organized gang violence,” she said. “And these same suspects have been arrested before—only to be released and allowed to prey on New Yorkers again.”

Feds, DHS Promise Action

Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security weighed in, calling the suspects “cowards.” She promised DHS and law enforcement would track down the remaining attackers.

Former ICE Director Tom Homan also criticized sanctuary city policies, saying this is what happens when cities don’t cooperate with ICE. “If you’re brazen enough to attack an armed officer, imagine what you’ll do to an unarmed civilian,” he said.

Criticism of NYC Council’s Soft-on-Crime Approach

Commissioner Tisch took direct aim at city officials who are trying to dismantle the NYPD’s gang database. “It defies common sense,” she said. “We caught these attackers using that very tool. If it gets abolished, it’ll only empower more organized violence.”

Charges so far include felony assault, riot, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon. One adult, 19-year-old Yeferxon Jose Mijares Hernandez, was also arrested and faces similar charges.

More Arrests Coming

As of Tuesday, police were still looking for three more suspects. Surveillance footage shows the group fleeing east on 42nd Street after attacking officers. NYPD is asking anyone with information to come forward.

Mayor Adams doubled down in his criticism of elected officials who’ve remained silent. He cited a recent shooting death of a grandmother in Harlem: “Did one elected talk about that? Do these innocent people matter?”

Authorities say the suspects have been linked to dozens of robberies since 2022. Yet each time they were released back onto the streets—what Tisch calls a “system failure”.

“This isn’t justice. It’s a revolving door for gang members,” she said. “And now they’re targeting cops in Times Square. Enough is enough.”

More arrests are expected as the NYPD expands its investigation across the city.