The NYPD has highlighted a potentially alarming detail about 19-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, who was arrested following the shooting of New York City cops Richard Yarusso and Christopher Abreu.
A report from the New York Post suggests that a tattoo on Castro Mata may link him to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang, known for its violent activities.
Authorities report that Castro Mata entered the United States illegally last July near Eagle Pass, Texas, and had been residing in a migrant shelter in East Elmhurst, Queens. Although he has no prior arrests in New York City, Castro Mata is suspected of involvement in a series of robberies, utilizing motorized scooters as getaway vehicles.
He is also being housed by the city in migrant housing, according to sources.
The incident with the police occurred just before 1:45 a.m. on Monday in Queens’ Elmhurst neighborhood. Officers from the 115th Precinct’s public safety unit encountered Castro Mata driving a scooter the wrong way.
After being ordered to stop, Castro Mata fled on foot and opened fire on the officers, who returned fire. The suspect was subsequently apprehended and required surgery on his ankle due to injuries sustained during the encounter.
Both officers involved in the shooting have been treated and released from the hospital. The details surrounding Castro Mata’s alleged gang affiliations and his criminal activities are still under investigation.
