New video shows moments before migrants clash with NYPD cops in Times Square: ‘Look like Ugly Betty’
Newly released footage shows the moments before a group of migrants attacked and kicked a pair of NYPD cops in Times Square with separate cameras offering different angles of the violent clash.
Police initially demanded the group disperse on the night of Jan. 27 before one uniformed officer suddenly grabbed migrant Yohenry Brito as he pushed a baby stroller carrying his belongings, the footage shows.
At one point in the audio, Brito can be heard referring to the officers in Spanish “They look like Ugly Betty.”
The officer led Brito against the wall of a building as other migrants who had been walking away made a U-turn and appeared to ask what Brito had done, according to the video.
As a second cop spoke to the rest of the group, Brito, 24, can be seen flailing as he tried to evade the first officer.
That’s when all hell broke loose as both cops tried to detain Brito, struggling across a stretch of sidewalk near 42nd Street and 7th Avenue.
Other migrants then become involved in the scuffle, trying to help Brito get loose. Some migrants took turns kicking at the officers while they wrestled on the ground with Brito.
One migrant even wiped out when he wound up for a kick but missed everything and only struck the air, footage shows.
A migrant dressed in all white, identified by officials as Yorman Reveron, pulled and pushed police off of Brito — who had lost his jacket and shirt at this moment — before helping him to his feet and the two taking off, video shows.
The bodycam footage also gave a glimpse of the immense struggle between Brito and the two officers as other migrants assaulted police.
Here’s the latest NYP coverage on the cop beatings by migrants in Times Square:
The videos released by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office came as prosecutors announced seven indictments Thursday in the highly publicized case.
Four suspects who were arrested last week have been indicted with second-degree assault and other charges. Another suspect was indicted with tampering with physical evidence while charges against two others remain sealed.
Four individuals who were seen on the footage kicking the officer remain on the lam.
The new footage released by DA Alvin Bragg’s office additionally showed the officers directing the migrants to clear the area and move to West 41st Street. When one officer tapped Brito on the stomach to encourage him to move along, he wiped his shirt where the officer touched him and put his finger up to the cop.
And in the aftermath of the melee, cops unsuccessfully attempted to track down the alleged perps as they canvassed through Times Square, the footage showed.
Brito is the only one in custody as other suspects that were captured were sprung without bail by prosecutors and judges following their arrests.
