Suspects wanted for stabbing of off-duty NYPD detective are illegal aliens with long criminal histories

Federal officials said two suspects wanted in the attempted murder of an off-duty New York City police officer 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 car trunk.

Mercedes fought back, prompting the men to stab and slash him repeatedly. Although seriously wounded, the detective 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)

Mercedes was taken to a hospital and released this week. The two 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 before standing and acknowledging a group of applauding officers. (NYPD)

According to DHS, the two men entered the United States illegally through the Arizona border at separate times. They were apprehended 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 alleged 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 issue 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 undergoing processing 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 to honor 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 enough time to issue detainers.

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