A brave NYPD officer was released from the hospital as the suspects who brutally beat and robbed him in the Bronx last week were arrested.
Officer Chowdhury Nafees was released from NYC Health and Hospitals/Jacobi on May 28, four days after two suspects allegedly attacked and robbed him of his personal belongings, including his department-issued gun on Saturday.
After undergoing surgery for his injuries, including multiple broken bones, the 27-year-old Nafees left the hospital on Thursday surrounded by hundreds of cheering family, friends, hospital workers and fellow officers, happy to see him recovering after the vicious attack.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch was also on site to greet Nafees and shake his hand.
Law enforcement sources said the horrific incident happened at about 4 a.m. on May 24 near 1473 St. Peters Ave. in Westchester Square within the confines of the 45th Precinct.
Nafees had just ended his shift and was off duty at the time of the attack.
Police said the two perps forced the 27-year-old officer to the ground, striking him in the face while holding a knife to his throat. As the attack ensued, the suspects stole the officer’s belongings, including his wallet, iPhone and firearm.
The suspects fled the scene before paramedics arrived and rushed the severely injured officer to the hospital in critical condition.
Both suspects in the attack were found and arrested this week. U.S. Marshals’ found and arrested 23-year-old Taveon Hargrove in Virginia.
Hargrove’s father was busted for allegedly using the Nafees’ stolen credit card at multiple stores in the Bronx, sources said.
The other suspect, 23-year-old Wayne Lucas was also taken into custody in Virginia, Tisch said on Wednesday.
“I’m pleased to announce that this afternoon, Wayne Lucas was taken into custody in Virginia just as the officer he so brutally assaulted was discharged from the hospital to the cheers of his NYPD family,” she said. “Come for one of us, and you’ll have the full force of the NYPD coming for you.”
Surveillance video helped detectives track down the suspects. It is unclear right now what charges the suspects face.
