BRONX, N.Y. — Two men accused of stabbing an off-duty NYPD detective at least seven times during a robbery in the Bronx — then fleeing to Massachusetts, where U.S. Marshals tracked them to a basement hideout — have been arrested and ordered held without bail.
TL;DR: D’Angelo Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia, 24, were arrested Oct. 7 after a multi-day manhunt for the Oct. 2 stabbing of off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes, 33, in the Norwood section of the Bronx. Police say the pair tried to snatch the detective’s gold chain as he cleaned out his car trunk; when he fought back, Caraballo allegedly stabbed him repeatedly in the neck and leg. Mercedes survived and was released from the hospital Oct. 6. Both suspects face attempted murder charges.
An e-bike robbery turns savage
According to police, the attack happened Oct. 2 in Norwood, where Detective Jose Mercedes of the 44th Precinct — off duty at the time — was cleaning out his car trunk. Two men pulled up on an e-bike and tried to snatch his gold chain, the New York Post reported, citing police sources.
When Mercedes fought back, Caraballo allegedly stabbed him at least seven times in the neck and leg. In a remarkable detail, the wounded detective managed to rip off a rubber Halloween-style mask that Mejia was allegedly wearing during the attack.
The blade missed Mercedes’ vital organs. He was taken to Jacobi Hospital, where he recovered — and on Oct. 6 he was released to salutes and applause from fellow officers.
The manhunt ends in a Lynn basement
The suspects fled New York after the attack. U.S. Marshals, working with the NYPD, tracked both men to Lynn, Massachusetts, where they were found hiding in a basement. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspects publicly on Oct. 6, and both were in custody by Oct. 7.
At an appearance in Lynn District Court on Oct. 7, Caraballo and Mejia were ordered held without bail on attempted murder charges as extradition proceedings to New York move forward.
What happens next
Both men face attempted murder charges in connection with the stabbing, along with robbery-related counts. They are accused — not convicted — and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case is a stark reminder of the dangers officers face even off duty: a veteran detective, attacked from behind while doing something as ordinary as cleaning out his trunk, survived only because the blade missed his vital organs — and because he fought back hard enough to tear the mask off one of his attackers, giving investigators a critical lead.
Sources: New York Post; NYPD; U.S. Marshals Service.
Featured photo: The Bronx, New York. (Image via newyorkknow.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was stabbed in the Bronx robbery?
Off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes, 33, of the 44th Precinct, was stabbed at least seven times in the neck and leg on Oct. 2 in the Norwood section of the Bronx during an attempted chain robbery.
Who are the suspects?
D’Angelo Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia, 24, were arrested Oct. 7. Caraballo allegedly carried out the stabbing; Mejia allegedly wore a rubber Halloween-style mask during the attack.
How were the suspects caught?
After a multi-day manhunt, U.S. Marshals found both men hiding in a basement in Lynn, Massachusetts. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch had identified them publicly on Oct. 6.
What is the detective’s condition?
Mercedes survived — the blade missed his vital organs — and was released from Jacobi Hospital on Oct. 6 to salutes and applause from fellow officers.
What charges do the suspects face?
Both face attempted murder charges and were ordered held without bail at a Lynn District Court appearance on Oct. 7, pending extradition to New York.
What happened to the mask?
During the struggle, the wounded detective ripped a rubber Halloween-style mask off one suspect’s face — a detail that helped investigators identify the attackers.
