The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States issued a statement on Tuesday, October 6th, indicating that the two suspects accused of stabbing an off-duty detective of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in New York City had entered the country illegally and were released into the U.S. by the previous administration after being arrested in New York but ultimately released.
At present, these two suspects are still at large.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred on October 2nd in the Bronx. The two suspects approached and attempted to rob Detective Jose Mercedes of the New York City Police Department.
Police stated that the suspects tried to snatch his gold chain while Mercedes was cleaning out his car trunk. When Mercedes resisted, the attackers repeatedly stabbed and slashed him. Despite being stabbed seven times and severely injured, the detective managed to chase the assailants for two blocks before collapsing. He was then taken to a local hospital and is reportedly recovering. The suspects fled the scene on electric bicycles.
The New York City Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the identities of the two suspects as Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo and Sneider Mejia Bautista, both illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic.
Caraballo illegally entered the U.S. through Arizona in February 2023 and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. The Biden administration subsequently released him into the country. His criminal record includes arrests for endangering public safety, reckless driving, fleeing police in a vehicle, possession of burglary tools, illegal possession of controlled substances, illegal possession of a loaded firearm, and second-degree menacing.
In December 2024, he was arrested for possession of burglary tools but was released before ICE could detain him after a detention request was submitted.
Bautista’s criminal record includes arrests for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, and illegal possession of weapons. He entered the U.S. illegally through Arizona in December 2022 and was intercepted by the U.S. Border Patrol. He was then released into the country by the Biden administration. On May 8, 2025, an immigration judge issued a final deportation order against him.
In October 2025, he was arrested for illegal possession of a weapon, and ICE requested detention, which was denied by the NYPD. In all other cases, he was released by local authorities before ICE could submit a detention request.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated, “Despite their multiple prior arrests in New York, sanctuary politicians have refused to cooperate with ICE and released them… This horrifying crime could have been prevented.”
(References: DHS official website, FOX NEWS)