A Bronx man has been freed on a misdemeanor charge despite allegedly being filmed beating a 53 year-old man while wearing knuckle-dusters after his friend’s poor driving saw them crash their Lexus into the victim’s car.
Miquiel Guerrero, 23, was arrested on March 30 after he and five others surrounded the unidentified victim, 53, and his car after they crashed into each other on Exterior Street in the Grand Concourse neighborhood.
A man cops say is Guerrero was then filmed brutally-attacking his victim while wearing knuckle-dusters while his posse jumped on the man’s car and stole it. The van driver made no attempt to fight back.
Shockingly, Guerrero has since been freed back onto the streets, despite the horrific nature of the violence meted out on his alleged victim. He’s due back in court May 23 on a misdemeanor charge, amid ongoing fury over New York’s soft-on-crime laws that critics blame for a recent spike in violent crime.
Surveillance footage shows the group circling the victim, with one jumping on top of the car, as Guerrero swings the driver’s door open and begins to violently punch the victim.
Police records indicate Guerrero wrapped a metal object around his knuckles when he pummeled the man, who suffered a shattered left eye and bruising in the face, nose and back. Officials did not specify what the object Guerroro used was.
It is also unclear if he has any prior convictions.
After being beaten, the 53-year-old can be seen running away from the scene and two men enter his Kia and begin to drive off with it. While three others hop in an unoccupied Honda that was caught in the crash, according to the New York Post.
Miquiel Guerrero, 23, (circled) was arrested on March 30 as he was filmed assaulting a 53-year-old man he and his friends crashed into the man in the Bronx
Police records indicate Guerrero wrapped a metal object around his knuckles when he pummled the man, who suffered a shattered left eye and bruising in the face, nose and back
After being beaten, the 53-year-old (far right) can be seen running away from the scene. He was treated for a fractured eye socket and facial cuts
Guerrero, who stayed on the scene for unknown reasons, was later arrested and charged with assault, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment.
Police are now looking for the other group members, all aged between 18 and 25, according to authorities.
The victim was transported to Jacobi Medical Center and was treated for a fractured eye socket and facial cuts.
One of the group of six assailants jumped on the hood of the car and smacked the victim
The group later stole the victim’s van as well as an unoccupied Honda. Guerrero stayed on the scene for unknown reasons and was apprehended and charged with robbery
It comes as New York is in the middle of a crime surge, with overall crime up 42 percent. The Big Apple is an increasing problem with carjacking up 68 percent and felony assaults up 21 percent.
Earlier this month, NYC Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell ‘this is not what New Yorkers expect or deserve, and we will not stand for it’ as crime continues to terrorize New Yorkers.
‘It’s clear what we are confronting: A perception among criminals that there are no consequences, even for serious crime. We need tangible changes,’ added Sewell.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams has now vowed to crack down on transit crimes, which is up more than 60 percent, but also lazy officers patrolling subway stations.
Adams made the plea at a press conference Tuesday when asked by a journalist about reports of multiple uniformed cops being spotted scrolling through phones while on duty guarding the city’s crime-ridden transport network.
The former NYPD captain warned: ‘We are going to start taking very aggressive actions to make sure police are patrolling our subway system and not patrolling their iPhone.’
Overall crime is up 42 percent in the city and assaults are up 20 percent
‘If you see it, send me a picture. I’ll go to that district the next day and see exactly what is happening.
‘Send me a shot. New Yorkers, you see that send me a photo and I will be at that station.’ Adams spokesman told anyone with photos to send them to his press office, whose email address is [email protected].
Adams said that New Yorkers can look forward to a ‘visible difference in policing in the next couple of weeks.’