He’s become a notorious figure in the migrant crisis in New York City. A 29-year-old man named Daniel Hernandez Martinez arrived in the city from Venezuela just two months ago, and since then, he’s been causing trouble. He’s randomly attacked at least three strangers and two police officers and has been arrested and released six times on a total of 14 different charges, according to the police and sources.
Martinez’s alleged crime spree started shortly after he arrived in the city. On his first day, he stole various items from a Brooklyn Costco and was charged with petty larceny but released without bail. In early July, he stole a “tool kit” from a Duane Reade in Manhattan. The following day, he escalated to assault when he threatened a security guard with a knife. He was charged with menacing but released without bail again.
Later in July, he attacked a journalist near a migrant shelter in Times Square for no apparent reason. The journalist had previously interviewed Martinez and was puzzled by the attack. Despite filing a criminal complaint, Martinez was released but later arrested when the journalist spotted him again.
In August, Martinez violently attacked a woman in Midtown and was charged with various offenses. He was placed on supervised release. Shortly after, he was arrested for menacing and harassment for threatening a stranger with a chain. A few days later, he was arrested for stealing bicycles in Times Square and assaulting a police officer while in custody.
In total, Martinez had been arrested five times in less than two months for various charges, with an additional open case in Brooklyn for petty larceny. Prosecutors requested $10,000 bail, but the judge set it at $5,000, and Martinez was sent to Rikers Island.
The U.S. State Department, Venezuelan consulate, and Homeland Security have not provided information about Martinez’s criminal history in Venezuela or how he entered the U.S.