Undercover NYPD Cop to Face Charges in SUV Assault
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Daphne Avalon/YouTube(NEW YORK) — In a stunning twist in the case of an SUV driver attacked by motorcyclists, an undercover New York police officer is expected to be charged this week for bashing the window of the SUV, law enforcement sources said Tuesday.
A criminal case is being built against the undercover detective and charges are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours, sources familiar with the case told ABC News. The officer can be seen on a video taken at the scene of the attack breaking a rear window of the SUV after a high-speed chase, sources said.
The undercover cops initially told his superiors days after the attack that he was at the scene of the assault and did not stop it for fear of blowing his cover, police said after he came forward. Sources said he was “not truthful” about his involvement during earlier interviews.
Police officials are in contact with his attorney and the officer will be expected to surrender, sources said.
Four other motorcyclists have been charged in connection with the incident, during which a group of 20 to 30 bikers surrounded SUV driver Alexian Lien on Manhattan’s West Side Highway on Sept. 29, authorities said.
Lien, who was driving on the highway with his wife and 2-year-old daughter on an outing to celebrate the couple’s wedding anniversary, tapped the back of a motorcycle that cut in front of him and slowed down, police said. The rest of the bikers then closed in on him, prompting Lien to speed off, hitting three bikers as he accelerated away from the group, according to the NYPD.
Much of the chase was caught on a helmet camera video that was then uploaded to the Internet. Police said they have used the video and images taken at the scene to identify suspects.
A grand jury is already hearing evidence in the assault cases that have been filed, and Lien is expected to make a video statement for prosecutors for the grand jury, authorities said.
Earlier Tuesday, Craig Wright, 29, was charged with assault for allegedly hitting and kicking Lien, authorities said.
According to court documents, Wright was part of a group of bikers who hit Lien through the window of his Range Rover, dragged him out of the SUV, and then beat Lien with their helmets and kicked and stomped on him while Lien was on the ground.
Wright pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently in jail and not expected to make bail, his attorney said.
Wright is the fourth person to be arrested for involvement in the melee on Sunday, Sept. 29. Wright was with a group of 20 to 30 motorcyclists who were riding on Manhattan’s West Side Highway that day, police said. The bikers tried to block off the road to do tricks, cops said, and they surrounded the Range Rover and then slowed down.
Three other bikers have been charged in connection with the case: Christopher Cruz, who allegedly cut Lien off in traffic, sparking the entire incident; Reginald Chance; and Robert Sims.
Wright was identified in video and photos taken at the scene, cops said. He was seen wearing a leather jacket and a black helmet with spikes on it, police said, noting Wright confirmed to authorities that the photos depicted him.
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