CNN host Erica Hill was stunned when the channel’s veteran law enforcement analyst shared some unexpected truths about crime in New York.
The awkward moment came as the panel discussed Saturday’s brutal attack on two police officers in Times Square, and the disappearance of the migrants who were arrested after being released without bail.
Only one of the six defendants remains in jail despite multiple previous charges, and four are now believed to have fled to California on a bus with the help of a church-affiliated charity.
“Does the fact that they were police officers change anything?” Hill pondered as she questioned former police officer John Miller about the case and the suspect’s background.
“What the detectives are telling me is that they have crews here that operate in New York, do all their thefts and then go to Florida and spend the money and then come back,” Miller told her.
“And I thought, ‘Why don’t they just stay in Florida and steal’ and they said ‘because you’re going to jail there.'”
The CNN panel on Saturday discussed the brutal attack on two police officers in Times Square, and the disappearance of the migrants who were arrested after being released without bail.
John Miller, former Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism, now the channel’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, stunned his colleagues with his unexpectedly candid conclusion
Surveillance footage shows more than a dozen hooded men attacking the two officers after they tried to detain one of the men
‘Oh!’ replied the clearly surprised presenter as the panel fell into silence.
‘Fascinating!’ co-host Phil Mattingly eventually ventured.
The brazen attack was carried out around 8:30pm when officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42 Street.
Surveillance footage shows more than a dozen hooded men attacking the two officers after they tried to detain one of the men.
Both received punches and kicks to the head and torso as they struggled with the suspect on the ground. The images shocked even veteran New Yorkers and prompted liberal Governor Kathy Hochul to call for the men’s deportation.
“You don’t touch our police officers, you don’t touch anyone,” she said.
“Take them all and send them back.”
Police are still looking for at least eight other suspects in addition to the six already charged, of whom only 24-year-old Yohenry Brito is behind bars.
Brito was already known to police for a series of past offenses, including petit larceny charges for stealing $275 worth of merchandise from Bergdorf Goodman in October and $139 worth of clothing from Macy’s, according to court documents seen by the Daily News.
Suspect Jhoan Boada, 22, was released after being charged and was seen throwing the bird at the press waiting outside the court
Only Yohenry Brito, 24, remains behind bars after being charged in the attack on the two NYPD officers. The migrant has had previous encounters with police
Yorman Reveron, one of five migrants charged with gang assault, previously charged with shoplifting in New York
Meanwhile, Yorman Reveron — one of five suspects charged before being released without bail — was arrested in December for allegedly stealing from Macy’s flagship store.
The 24-year-old migrant was also arrested in November and charged with stealing from a Nordstrom Rack store.
Reveron and three other charged suspects – Darwin Andres Gomez Izquiel, 19, Kelvin Servat Arocha, 19, Wilson Juarez, 21 – are believed to have fled the city after their release.
Police believe they went to a Catholic church under assumed names and asked for help reaching California. Suspect Jhoan Boada, 22, was also released after being charged and was seen throwing the bird at members of the press waiting outside the court.
Jandry Barros, 21, a seventh suspect who was arrested but released without charge due to lack of evidence, also has a criminal record with authorities.
Patrick Hendry, president of the New York Police Benevolent Association, condemned the criminal justice system that allowed the men’s release.
“Assaults on police officers are becoming an epidemic, and the reason is that we see a revolving door in cases like this,” he added.
“It is impossible for police officers to effectively tackle crime and disorder if the justice system cannot or will not protect us while we do that job.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis welcomed Miller’s analysis, saying criminals know they will be held accountable in the Sunshine State.
“You can see why people are fleeing some of these areas that can’t even keep the streets safe, they can’t even keep homeless people off the streets,” he told reporters.
“It’s been really problematic in many parts of our country, we’re doing it here.”