By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Tuesday announced that six people have been arraigned on an indictment for an attack on two City police officers who were checking on the welfare of three unattended children riding bikes before dawn near a hotel in Long Island City last month.
Juan Munoz, 25, Alejandro Munoz, 42, and Karina Navarro-Chavez, 42, all of Long Island City; Miguel Chiluisa, 23, of Corona; Cristian Taipe, 30, of Astoria; and Natali Iza, 27, were arraigned on Tuesday on an indictment charging them with two counts of attempted assault in the first degree; two counts of attempted gang assault in the first degree; four counts of assault in the second degree; two counts of attempted gang assault in the second degree; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and riot in the second degree. Chiluisa is also charged with both escape in the second and third degrees and he and Iza are additionally charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/GeneralPunger
One of the defendants tried to escape after being cuffed and placed under arrest. He was discovered by another officer inside the 21st Street-Queensbridge subway station about an hour later.
According to the charges:
On June 17, at approximately 4:20 a.m., two police officers observed three young children riding bicycles unattended on the sidewalk near a hotel at 38-70 12th St. in Long Island City.
The officers followed the unattended children to 38-70 12th St. and approached the defendants, who were standing nearby. Iza began yelling at the cops, pushing and striking one of the officers, while the others surrounded him.
Chiluisa allegedly picked up a children’s bicycle and threw the bike at an officer, striking the officer on the body, while Navarro-Chavez allegedly struck the officer on the back of the head with an unknown object. Iza struck another officer with a children’s bicycle, while the group began to punch, shove and kick the officers. Chiluisa then ran across the street, while handcuffed, and fled in an unknown direction.
Chiluisa was observed by another cop inside the 21st Street-Queensbridge subway station at approximately 5:15 a.m. and was placed under arrest. Chiluisa allegedly had a broken handcuff around one of his hands.
The officers were taken to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries including shoulder pain and abrasions.
“My office will vigorously prosecute those who harm members of law enforcement, and we will hold these defendants responsible for their alleged actions,” Katz said.
If convicted of the top count, the defendants face up to 15 years in prison.
