Two illegal immigrants accused of stabbing an off-duty New York Police Department detective had multiple prior arrests and were released by local authorities, federal officials said.
The suspects, Sneider Mejia Bautista, 24, and D’Angelo Rafael Jean Caraballo, 25, are both Dominican nationals who entered the U.S. illegally.
They were arrested early Wednesday in Lynn, Massachusetts, by NYPD detectives and the U.S. Marshals Service.
On Tuesday, NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said they were wanted on charges of attempted murder, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon for the stabbing of Detective Jose Mercedes on Friday, Oct. 2.
TWO illegal aliens who are accused of stabbing an off duty NYPD detective should have NEVER been allowed into our country.
Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo and Sneider Mejia Bautista, both illegal aliens from the Dominican Republic, were RELEASED into the country by the Biden… pic.twitter.com/sVmndBSjWT
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) October 6, 2026
The assailants fled the scene following the attack in the Bronx’s Norwood neighborhood and were on the run for several days. Authorities tracked them to a Massachusetts home, where they were found hiding in the basement.
Mercedes, 33, was off-duty when he was stabbed seven times during a robbery attempt near Rochambeau Avenue and East 208th Street, police said.
According to various reports, the two men tried to take Mercedes’ gold chain and he fought back.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a news release Tuesday prior to their arrest, identifying the wanted fugitives as illegal immigrants.
Caraballo illegally entered the United States through Arizona in February 2023 and was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Bautista illegally entered the United States through Arizona in December 2022 and was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol. Bautista was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on May 8, 2025.
These illegal aliens from the Dominican Republic are suspects in the stabbing and attempted robbery of an off-duty NYPD detective.
Both of these suspects were RELEASED into the country by the Biden Administration, and despite multiple prior arrests in New York, sanctuary… https://t.co/eTJWmMvHo3
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) October 6, 2026
Both of the suspects were released into the country by the Biden administration. They were arrested multiple times in New York but were again released by local authorities.
“This horrific crime could have been prevented if it weren’t for Biden’s open borders and the America Last policies of New York sanctuary politicians,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “DHS is calling on New York authorities to cooperate with us so we can get these dangerous criminals off our streets.”
A witness said the suspects broke into Mercedes’ vehicle on Friday afternoon and he confronted them, CBS News reported.
Police said the suspects slashed and stabbed Mercedes multiple times before stealing a chain from around his neck, Gothamist reported.
During the altercation, he got stabbed multiple times, sustaining injuries to his leg and torso, according to NBC4 New York.
Mercedes still chased his attackers on foot for two blocks before collapsing. The suspects fled the scene on an e-bike.
First responders rushed Mercedes to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released on Monday. After being wheeled out of Jacobi Medical Center, he stood up in front of a group of clapping officers, Fox News reported.
“Hundreds of members of the NYPD were there to cheer their brother on,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch posted on X. “The entire department stands behind Detective Mercedes as he continues his recovery. And the greatest detectives in the world will relentlessly pursue those responsible for this crime.”
Following news of the stabbing, the NYPD launched a large-scale manhunt and later released surveillance video of the suspects, ABC7 Eyewitness News reported.
NYPD detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force with assistance from the Boston Regional Fugitive Task Force took them into custody, authorities said.
Scott Munro, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, praised investigators and called for the suspects to be held accountable. Munro said there was “nowhere to run and nowhere to hide” for those accused of attacking an NYPD detective, ABC7 reported.
DHS officials said the suspects had multiple prior arrests in New York, but sanctuary politicians refused to cooperate with ICE and released them.
Caraballo had prior arrests for reckless endangerment, reckless driving, unlawful fleeing from a police officer in a motor vehicle, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon involving a loaded firearm, and second-degree menacing involving a weapon, DHS said.
Following his arrest in December 2024 for possession of burglar’s tools, Caraballo was released by local law enforcement before ICE could lodge a detainer.
Bautista’s criminal history includes prior arrests for criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, grand larceny, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Following Bautista’s arrest in October 2025 for criminal possession of a weapon, ICE lodged a detainer which was then declined by the NYPD. All of his other arrests led to him being released by local authorities before ICE could lodge detainers, DHS said.
