A stark naked Queens man accused of attacking bicyclists — and assaulting three NYPD officers — was hit with assault and attempted robbery charges at his Wednesday arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced.
Police charged that Mekhiel Saldana, 26, was naked while hanging from a crosswalk pole on the Lower East Side when he tried to kick bikers off their rides around 9 a.m. on Aug. 25. Two NYPD officers tried to apprehend Saldana, but he ran into the street and jumped atop a car, then tackled the cops in a bid to grab their guns and tasers, according to court documents.
(Curtis Means/Pool)
Saldana bit the fingers of one of the officers for around 2 minutes before releasing his grip as more cops rushed to the scene, documents stated.
“These officers were just trying to do their jobs when they were allegedly violently assaulted by this individual,” said Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. “We do not have tolerance for those who attack members of law enforcement, and I hope the injured officers can make full recoveries.”
Saldana was transported by EMS to Bellevue Hospital — but the mayhem didn’t stop.
At the hospital, he allegedly lunged at one of the officers guarding him, attempting to reach for their gun as both fell to the ground, officials said. The officer was punched in the head multiple times by Saldana before hospital security subdued him, officials charged.
The three officers involved in the attacks were placed on medical leave; a female officer whose finger had been bit lost feeling in two of her fingers, and hasn’t been able to return to work, according to court documents.
Saldana’s bail was set Wednesday at $10,000 cash and $30,000 in insured bond or partially secured bond.
