Posted on: June 18, 2024 05:05 AM

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Four people charged for attempted gang assault of police officers who were checking on welfare of unattended children outside Long Island City hotel

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that two NYPD officers, who were checking on the welfare of three unattended children on bikes outside a Long Island City hotel, were attacked by a group of adults at approximately 4:20 a.m. on June 17. Four defendants were arraigned today, accused of attempted gang assault and related charges, for attacking the officers outside 38-70 12th Street.

District Attorney Katz said: “According to the complaint, two police officers, while on patrol, observed three children on bicycles at 4:20 in the morning. In an effort to check on the children’s safety, they approached a nearby group of adults to make sure that the children were being supervised. At that point, a group of approximately five adults began punching, kicking, and shoving the officers – with two assailants throwing bikes and striking the cops.”

Juan Munoz, 25; Alejandro Munoz, 42; Karina Navarro-Chavez, 42; all of 10th Street in Long Island City, and Miguel Chiluisa, 23, of Roosevelt Avenue in Corona, were arraigned today before Judge Edward Daniels, on charges of attempted gang assault in the first degree, two counts of attempted assault in the first degree, four counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of assault in the third degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, resisting arrest and two counts of  criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Juan Munoz, Alejandro Munoz and Navarro-Chavez are also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, while Chiluisa is charged with both escape in the second and third degrees.

If convicted of the top count, the defendants face up to 15 years in prison. The defendants are due back in court on June 21.

At least one additional suspect is also sought in the assault.

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 in front of 38-70 12th Street in Long Island City.
• The officers approached the defendants, who were standing nearby along with a woman who has not been apprehended. The woman 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.
• The un-apprehended woman struck another officer with a children’s bicycle, while the group began to punch, shove and kick the officers.
• When an officer attempted to place Chiluisa under arrest, the group encircled the other officer and Juan Munoz shoved that officer to the ground.
• Chiluisa then ran across the street, while handcuffed, and fled in an unknown direction.
• Chiluisa was observed by another officer on the corner of 21st Street and 41st Avenue at approximately 5:18 a.m. and was placed under arrest. The defendant 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.

From Queens DA