The two suspects wanted for the attempted murder of an off-duty New York City police officer during a robbery have lengthy criminal records and are living in the U.S. illegally, federal officials said.
Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia Bautista, 24, both Dominican citizens, are accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes. According to police, the two suspects attempted to snatch Mercedes’ gold chain while he was clearing out the trunk of his car.
When Mercedes fought back, his attackers stabbed and slashed him multiple times. Despite his severe injuries, the detective chased the suspects for two blocks before collapsing.
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He was rushed to the hospital and released this week. Both suspects remain at large.
“This horrific crime could have been prevented if it weren’t for Biden’s open borders and the America Last policies of New York sanctuary politicians,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “DHS is calling on New York authorities to cooperate with us so we can get these dangerous criminals off our streets. Our thoughts and prayers are with the detective for a speedy recovery.”
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According to DHS, both men entered the U.S. unlawfully through the Arizona border at different times, where they were apprehended and subsequently released into the country by the Biden administration.
Both have accumulated extensive criminal histories in New York.
Caraballo’s prior arrests include charges for reckless endangerment, reckless driving, unlawful fleeing from a police officer in a motor vehicle, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon involving a loaded firearm and second-degree menacing with a weapon.
Following a December 2024 arrest for possession of burglar’s tools, local authorities released him before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could lodge an immigration detainer.
Bautista’s criminal record includes arrests for criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, grand larceny and criminal possession of a weapon.
Following an October 2025 weapon charge, ICE lodged a detainer against Bautista, but local officials declined the request under New York City’s sanctuary policies.
DHS noted that following his other arrests, Bautista was released so quickly that ICE was unable to lodge detainers in time.
