Cop Indicted For Gunpoint Robbery In Bushwick
BUSHWICK – Yesterday, an NYPD cop was arraigned on a 14-count indictment for a gunpoint robbery outside a Bushwick nightclub. Officer Anthony Delacruz, 34, allegedly pistol-whipped and forced his victim to strip after robbing the man of cash, jewelry and a cell phone in May 2016.
According to the investigation, at 3:30 am on May 28, 2016, NYPD officers responded to a call of shots fired near the El Mekkah Bar and Grill near Wyckoff and Grove. At the scene, Delacruz, who initially didn’t identify himself as an officer or report that he fired his weapon, falsely accused a nearby group of men of stealing his gold chain, Rolex watch and a gold ring, then fleeing.
The men were taken into custody, but were later exonerated by video surveillance from El Mekkah, which showed they were not involved in the alleged robbery. In fact, the investigation allegedly revealed Officer Delacruz, along with an unidentified accomplice, on video pointing his service weapon at a man hiding behind a car.
After the three men leave the view of the video camera, Delacruz and his accomplice later return, with the second man carrying what appears to be the victim’s clothes. According to the investigation, when the victim appears on camera again, he is without shoes or pants, wearing just boxer shorts and a t-shirt.
“This defendant’s alleged brazen and criminal behavior was in direct contradiction to the oath he took to protect and serve. He then allegedly made a deplorable situation worse by falsely accusing multiple individuals of robbing him. We will now seek to hold him accountable,” said District Attorney Gonzalez.
Charged with 5 counts of robbery and 3 counts of assault, along with menacing and false reporting, Delacruz could face up to 25 years in prison. He will appear again in court on March 21, 2018.
