To serve as a deterrent the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple criminal charges on Wednesday against more than a dozen members of a violent East Harlem street gang.
The prosecutors charged 13 members of “Chico Gang,” which authorities said had terrorized two public housing projects since 2018, for shooting a dozen people — including four innocent bystanders, among them a 12-year-old boy.
Charges of conspiracy, attempted murder, attempted assault, and weapons possession were filed against the violent gang members.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said they decided to go hard on the gang to remove them from the street.
“The arrests of these gang members were specifically targeted to remove the drivers of this gang violence from our streets,” Shea said.
“The Chico gang has carried on senseless rivalries targeting other gangs with innocent members of the community — including children — being caught in the crossfire,” Shea added.
Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. for his part said the arrest and indictment of the gang is a way of stopping violence in East Harlem.
“This indictment is one part of our work to break the cycle of violence gripping East Harlem, as teens are recruited to take the place of older gang members and continue their bloody rivalries,” Vance said.
JOIN US ON WHAT'SAPP, TO GET INSTANT STATUS UPDATES AND BE IN THE KNOW.
CLICK HERE
