The moment a migrant on a moped dragged a woman down a New York street to steal her phone was captured in chilling footage shared by police.
Three migrants were arrested by New York police overnight after they allegedly went on a crime spree in which they stole wallets and cellphones from at least 62 women across the city's seven boroughs.
Police said they arrested the migrants, all believed to be from Venezuela, at a safe house in the Bronx after executing a search warrant.
The suspects allegedly stole the iPhones to use the Apple Pay feature and use the owners' credit cards to purchase items.
NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said, “Most migrants come to NYC looking for a better life.” Unfortunately, some come to commit crimes. Today we made tremendous progress on the biggest heist to hit our city.
The moment a migrant on a moped dragged a woman down a New York street to steal her phone was captured in chilling footage shared by police
The suspects allegedly stole the iPhones to use the Apple Pay feature and use the owners' credit cards to purchase items
“Our message is simple: Commit a crime in our city and we will find you and bring you to justice!”
Mayor Eric Adams accompanied the sting operation and later appeared at a news conference with police.
“This is not about the migrants and asylum seekers, this is about those who break the law.” “It doesn't matter where you come from and where you come from,” the Democrat said.
Officer Nicholas Fiore said police were still searching for the leader of the crime ring who allegedly sought migrants to do “his dirty work.”
“He’s the big target.” [He] “has caused a lot of problems in New York City,” Fiore added.
Monday's arrests came after another video showed about a dozen migrants attacking two police officers in Times Square late last month.
A Manhattan judge released at least five asylum seekers without bail after they were charged with assault. Only one of the suspects remains in prison.
Four of the suspects are believed to have fled the city after being charged and released after giving false names to a charity that helps migrants get bus tickets.
Many of the migrants were already known to the police for petty theft and shoplifting.
According to the New York Post, the migrants charged in the attack are also part of a phone theft scheme.
“They are buying back cars in Ecuador and Venezuela,” a police source told the Post. “They put pools in their houses there.” All the money flows back and forth. That's why thefts are getting out of control. It's incredible what they do.'
Mayor Eric Adams accompanied the sting operation and later appeared at a news conference with police
Officer Nicholas Fiore said police were still searching for the leader of the crime ring who allegedly sought migrants to do “his dirty work.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs has defended the decision to release the suspects, but claimed Saturday he would present evidence against them to a grand jury.
New York City is collapsing under the weight of a massive influx of asylum seekers, with over 170,000 having arrived since spring 2022.
Adams initially welcomed the migrants but has since warned that the situation will “destroy” the city as we know it. His requests for help from the federal government have now been ignored.
In the city's latest controversial move to deal with migrants, Adams announced a $53 million program to give prepaid credit cards to migrant families with children.
Yesterday it was revealed that migrants staying in one of the city's hotels were being given prepaid cards to purchase food and baby items, rather than the city providing meals that the migrants often did not want.
Adams estimated the $53 million program will save the city $600,000 a month or $7.2 million a year, sparking outrage from many across the country, including native New Yorkers like rapper 50 Cent.
Migrants must sign an affidavit promising to only use the cards for food and baby items, otherwise their cards will be cut off.
Police are still searching for at least eight other men involved in the scuffle in Times Square
It's unclear how the city of New York would know if they were only being used in bodegas as intended.
The amount on each card depends on individual circumstances. It's unclear how city officials will check whether cards are being misused — and whether the system will worsen the crisis by encouraging other migrants to go to the Big Apple in hopes of getting free money.
A family of four could be provided nearly $1,000 per month, which equates to $35 per day for food for the four people.
Currently, each migrant meal costs $11, so feeding a family of four each day could cost up to $132.
The cards are refilled every 28 days.