NYPD Detective stabbed in Bronx robbery; suspects extradited

Two men, D’Angelo Rafael Jean Caraballo and Sneider Mejía Bautista, have been extradited from Massachusetts to New York to face charges related to the stabbing of NYPD Detective José Mercedes. The attack occurred on October 2 in the Norwood section of the Bronx while Mercedes was off-duty and organizing his vehicle. The suspects allegedly attempted to steal a gold chain from the detective, inflicting multiple stab wounds. Mercedes, who has ten years of service, survived the attack and is recovering after undergoing surgery.

In a separate incident in Providence, Rhode Island, 46-year-old Nelson Blanco was arrested for allegedly stabbing a mother and her 2-year-old daughter in public. Blanco faces charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities noted that Blanco claimed he stopped the attack because he was on a main street, stating he would have killed them had they been on a side street. This arrest has also brought renewed attention to a 2003 attack involving the same individual.