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HomeUSSuspects Sought in Stabbing of Off-Duty NYPD Detective Are Undocumented Immigrants With...

Suspects Sought in Stabbing of Off-Duty NYPD Detective Are Undocumented Immigrants With Lengthy Criminal Records

Federal officials said two suspects sought in the attempted murder of an off-duty New York City police detective during a robbery have extensive criminal records and are living in the United States illegally.

Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia Bautista, 24, both citizens of the Dominican Republic, are accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes. Police said the pair tried to steal Mercedes’ gold chain as he was removing items from his vehicle’s trunk.

Mercedes fought back, prompting the suspects to stab and slash him repeatedly. Although seriously wounded, he pursued the attackers for two blocks before collapsing.

Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo and Sneider Mejia Bautista

Dangelo Rafael Jean Caraballo, 25, (left) and Sneider Mejia Bautista, 24, (right), both Dominican citizens living illegally in the United States, are accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes. (Department of Homeland Security; NYPD)

The detective was taken to a 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,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “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.”

NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes

Detective Jose Mercedes was wheeled out of Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park on Monday and then stood before a group of applauding officers. (NYPD)

DHS said the men entered the United States illegally through Arizona at separate times. They were apprehended at the border and later released into the country by the Biden administration.

Both men have since amassed extensive criminal histories in New York.

Suspects who attacked NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes

The two suspected attackers remain at large. (NYPD)

Caraballo’s previous arrests include reckless endangerment, reckless driving, unlawfully 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.

After his December 2024 arrest for possessing burglar’s tools, local authorities released Caraballo before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could file an immigration detainer.

Bautista’s record includes arrests for criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, grand larceny, and criminal possession of a weapon.

ice agent wearing vest

An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed after entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

After Bautista faced a weapon charge in October 2025, ICE issued a detainer. Local officials declined the request under New York City’s sanctuary policies.

DHS said Bautista was released so quickly after his other arrests that ICE did not have time to file detainers.