Police investigate alleged gang members in Times Square attack on NYPD officers

New York City police investigators are trying to track down young alleged gang members

in connection to an attack on uniformed police officers in Times Square

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tish says on Friday night, officers were attempting to thwart an assault in Times Square

when they were attacked by a group of young individuals. The officers engaged the group and attempted to break up what appeared to be

a Wolfpack-style robbery. Instead, they were ambushed, pelted with scooters, basketballs, and other makeshift weapons

This was a targeted attack, planned, deliberate, and carried out with intent

And it will not be tolerated. The officers are okay. Investigators arrested several suspects

The youngest, just 12 years old, according to police. Three of the suspects are repeat offenders

and connected to previous citywide robberies. Commissioner Tisch says they facing serious charges including attempted felony assault inciting riot and reckless endangerment Authorities believe many of the young individuals are part of the Los Diablos 42 gang a subset of Venezuela violent Trendy Aragua gang and often target vulnerable

individuals, sometimes other migrants and young people, and surround their victims in order to

rob and assault them. Mayor Adams says members of the Los Diablos 42 gang have been involved in

other New York City robberies. That's why we said we can't allow them to take a foothold

Can you imagine being in Central Park and having 20 people surround you

Or you're sitting on the subway station on the train and having 13 people surround you

How intimidating that is. These guys are shooting, they're robbing, they're committing crimes

and they have a total disregard for law enforcement. Authorities say several suspects connected to the recent attack remain at large

This is not the first time New York City police officers have been targeted in Times Square

In January 2024, a group of migrants assaulted uniformed officers as two officers attempted to apprehend a man

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com