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2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 14, 2026
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Brittany Kriegstein
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 14, 2026
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Two men accused of stabbing an off-duty NYPD detective and ripping a chain from his neck in the Bronx this month pleaded not guilty Wednesday to several charges, including attempted murder of a police officer.
Sneider Mejia, 24, and D’Angelo Caraballo, 25, were arraigned in Bronx Supreme Court on an indictment with a top charge of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, according to court records. They also face charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.
As Assistant District Attorney Paul Irace read the alleged facts of the case, both men listened with the help of a Spanish interpreter.
Justice Alvin Yearwood ordered both men to be held in jail without bail. They are due back in court on Dec. 3.
Lawyers for both men did not speak to reporters outside the courtroom. They did not argue for the judge to set bail.
Mejia faces one more count than Caraballo, according to records: attempted first-degree murder during the commission of another crime. The top charge carries a minimum sentence of 20 years to life and a maximum of 40 years to life, Irace said in court.
Police say the two men rode up to Detective Jose Mercedes, 33, on a motorized bike near the corner of Rochambeau Avenue and East 206th Street around 2 p.m. on Oct. 2. The men slashed and stabbed him several times, then took the chain from around his neck, police said.
Mercedes was off-duty when the attack began, Irace said. But he said the detective immediately identified himself as a police officer, repeated the statement at least six times and tried to arrest his attackers while he was being stabbed.
Mejia aimed for the detective’s head, neck and torso, Irace said. Most of the wounds landed on Mercedes’ arms because he had them raised, the prosecutor said. Mercedes chased the men for two blocks, barefoot, before his injuries stopped him, Irace said.
Relatives of both men who were sitting on a bench in the courtroom cried when the men were led back into the holding area. The relatives refused to speak with reporters outside the courthouse and walked away with their hoods pulled down over their faces.
Mercedes, who was treated at Jacobi Hospital, has been released. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited him there the day of the attack. Mercedes had surgery to repair the tendons in his left arm, and almost two weeks later, he still can’t use his left hand, prosecutors said.
After the attack, both men fled to Massachusetts where they stopped using their phones and cut their hair, prosecutors said. They were captured by a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force while hiding out in the basement of a recording studio, prosecutors said.
Tagged
nypd
public safety
the bronx
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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