In the midst of a surging influx of migrants, New York City grapples with a rising tide of violent offenses leading to multiple migrant arrests.
Since the Roosevelt Hotel was converted into a migrant shelter in May, a total of 41 individuals have been arrested, predominantly for domestic violence offenses, according to law-enforcement sources.
In one case, a 30-year-old migrant was arrested for endangering his 11-year-old daughter. Although he was apprehended, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office later opted not to pursue charges.
The Manhattan DA’s office spokesperson stated, “After thorough investigation and review of the facts, the People declined to prosecute this matter. If a crime cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, it is our ethical duty not to charge it.”
Another notable occurrence at the Roosevelt Hotel involved an asylum-seeking migrant who purposefully struck an employee with a “No Parking” sign in June. The employee sustained a 6-inch cut on his head.
On Friday, September 1st, a 20-year-old migrant woman, Baibaia Rodriguez, was taken into custody for reportedly striking an NYPD officer who was trying to seize her unregistered motorbike outside the Stratford Arms Hotel on the Upper West Side.
However, she was released without bail, as stated by officials on Sunday. The spokesperson further noted that the asylum-seeking migrant was discharged on her own accord as the charges didn’t qualify for bail.
This was not Rodriguez’s first run-in with the law; she was previously apprehended in July for an alleged assault on her boyfriend.
Rodriguez’s court complaint noted, “Lieutenant Stephen Schoefer, of the New York City Police Department, [said] that he felt an individual’s open hand hit his right shoulder from behind.”
During the attempt to arrest her, Rodriguez exhibited resistance. “She twisted her arms away and above her head, refused to put her hands behind her back, and made her body stiff,” revealed the court documents.
Rodriguez is scheduled for a court appearance on October 19th.
The Roosevelt Hotel faced criticism this summer after a video emerged depicting numerous migrants resting on cardboard along the sidewalk due to overcrowding. Local businesses and residents have voiced their unease with the ongoing situation. New Yorkers have shared concerns about the migrants’ presence and lack of vetting considering the ongoing violence and crime issue that plagues the city.
