The arrest of a 15-year-old Venezuelan youth accused of participating in a robbery and shooting in the middle of New York’s Times Square, where a Brazilian tourist was shot and wounded, among other crimes, has sparked strong debate. The relationship between illegal immigration and increased crime.
By: BioBioChile
Jose Alejandro RF was arraigned this Wednesday on two counts of attempted murder – as he shot twice at police – assault, attempted assault and criminal possession of a firearm, during the Thursday afternoon attack at the JD Store sporting goods store, between Broadway. and 42nd Street, downtown.
The teenager was accompanied by two other youths, with whom he stole products from the store and then left without paying them. It was moments before a guard tried to stop them, prompting Jose Alejandro to pull out a .40 caliber weapon and open fire on the employee, injuring a 38-year-old Brazilian tourist who was inside the premises.
As the group fled, the youth fired again, this time at the police. Two of his accomplices were arrested shortly after, but he was caught only this Tuesday.
However, the situation is far from punctual. According to a press conference held by New York Patrol Chief John Chell, authorities have noticed an increasing trend in crime with an increase in illegal immigration from Venezuela.
“We don’t care who you are or where you come from.”
“We have some groups of Venezuelan immigrants, and I want to emphasize that those groups, not all Venezuelans, are affecting crime in our city, and it’s increasing now more than when they started coming here, ” said the official. .
“We talked last week and how that affects crime trends. We have seen an increase in robberies, assaults and pickpockets both in Times Square and on the subway. We have also seen groups going to stores like Macy’s or King’s Plaza. They enter and take other people’s property. So yes, we’re seeing a trend,” Chell said.
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