Two illegal immigrants with lengthy criminal records remain at large after allegedly stabbing an off-duty NYPD detective in a Bronx chain robbery, a case federal officials tie to sanctuary policies.
Off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes was clearing out the trunk of his car when two men tried to snatch his gold chain. When he fought back, the attackers stabbed and slashed him multiple times.
Mercedes still chased the suspects for two blocks before collapsing. He was rushed to the hospital for severe injuries. Fox News reported that both suspects are still free.
Police identify the wanted men as Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia Bautista, 24. Both are Dominican citizens living in the United States illegally.
The Department of Homeland Security says both men entered the country unlawfully through the Arizona border at different times. Agents apprehended them. The Biden administration then released them into the United States.
That decision put two men with growing arrest records into New York City, a place where local rules often block federal immigration enforcement.
Caraballo’s prior arrests include reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and unlawful fleeing from a police officer in a motor vehicle. He also faced charges for 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.
After a December 2024 arrest for possession of burglar’s tools, local authorities released him before ICE could lodge an immigration detainer. He remains at large in the stabbing case.
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.
After an October 2025 weapon charge, ICE lodged a detainer. Local officials declined it under New York City sanctuary policies. On other arrests, authorities released him so quickly that ICE could not lodge detainers in time. He also remains at large.
In plain terms, a detainer is a hold request. ICE uses it to take custody of someone already in local jail so the person can face immigration proceedings. When cities refuse those holds, the suspect walks back onto the street.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin tied the attack to border policy and local noncooperation.
"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. 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."
Mullin’s statement frames a simple sequence. Federal agents caught the men at the border. They were released. New York later declined or outran ICE detainers. Then an off-duty detective got stabbed during a street robbery.
Mercedes was treated at Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park. He was released this week. On Monday, staff wheeled him out of the hospital before he stood up in front of clapping officers.
The detective fought back, took multiple stab and slash wounds, and still pursued the men who attacked him. The men accused of that assault are still wanted.
No new arrests in the stabbing were reported. The motive police describe is straightforward robbery, an attempt to rip a gold chain off a man minding his own car.
When cities free repeat offenders faster than federal agents can hold them, the public pays the price, and a wounded detective is the proof.
