Staten Island man charged in Bronx attack that sent NYPD officer to hospital

June 5, 2025, 1:29 p.m.

Wayne Lucas, 23, was apprehended in Virginia last week and has been extradited to New York to face charges.

An NYPD cruiser is parked in Brooklyn on June 2, 2025.

The NYPD has charged a Staten Island man with attempting to murder one of its officers, who officials say was assaulted while off duty in the Bronx last month.

Wayne Lucas, 23, was taken into custody in Virginia on May 28, four days after the incident, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at the time. Lucas was apprehended a day after Tisch announced his suspected accomplice Taveon Hargrove, 23, was also taken into custody in Virginia.

Officials said Lucas was extradited back to New York and charged late Wednesday in the same Bronx precinct where the 27-year-old officer was attacked. The officer, whom an NYPD spokesperson declined to identify, was hospitalized in critical condition with multiple fractures before being released on May 28.

Police said Lucas and Hargrove beat the officer and robbed him at knifepoint, stealing his wallet, iPhone and registered firearm, and then fled the scene on foot. The incident happened as the officer was walking home around 4 a.m. at St. Peters and Frisby avenues in Westchester Square, according to the NYPD.

Lucas was expected to be arraigned Thursday at Bronx Supreme Criminal Court. His listed attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

Police have yet to announce charges against Hargrove. His attorney information was not immediately available.

This is a developing story based on preliminary information from police and may be updated.

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