Second teen nabbed in Bronx mugging of off-duty NYPD cop
A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday in connection with the brutal broad-daylight mugging of an off-duty NYPD cop in the Bronx – the same day the wounded officer was released from the hospital.
The boy – the second teen busted in the Aug. 23 attack on Officer Muhammed Chowdhury – was nabbed by the department’s Warrants Squad around 6 a.m. at his Bronx home, cops said.
He was charged with robbery and gang assault, authorities said.
Chowdhury – left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after the Castle Hill attack – was released Thursday morning after weeks of treatment at Jacobi Medical Center.
The 18-year NYPD veteran, in a wheelchair and flanked by family, flashed a thumbs-up as his brothers in blue clapped for him outside the hospital.
Chowdhury is assigned to the Central Park Precinct, which tweeted its support Thursday.
“Weeks after being attacked by criminals, our brother Police Officer Muhammed Chowdhury comes out of the hospital today,” the precinct wrote. “Our support for our police family is stronger than ever and so is the courage of the officer we almost lost. So happy to see you doing better brother.”
Cops say the muggers also made off with Chowdhury’s cell phone, car keys and wallet.
The attack, which took place around 10:30 a.m. on Olmstead Avenue near Turnbull Avenue, is part of a larger pattern of 19 citywide robberies dating back to Aug. 1.
The young teen, as well as Oshawn Logan, 18 – who was nabbed days after the assault – are believed to be connected to other incidents in the pattern, authorities said.
Two other suspects are still being sought, cops said.
Chowdhury’s wife of 12 years, Nadira Sherin, had pleaded with police brass and city leaders to quickly capture her husband’s attackers and not let them out on bail.
“You cannot let these men out the same day that they are arrested,” Sherin told The Post Wednesday, referring to New York’s lenient bail reform law.
“Punish them,” she added. “If they release them the same day, that is not justice for my husband.”
