Female Venezuelan migrant, 20, charged with kicking Times Square cops as they ... trends now
A 20-year-old Venezuelan migrant accused of violently kicking an NYPD cop during a Times Square melee was deemed a 'flight risk' and given bond during her first court appearance.
Edgarlis Vegas, from Brooklyn, became the 13th suspect arrested in connection to the assault on January 27.
She was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday where she was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kotin told the court that Vegas, dressed in a green Nike sweatshirt and dark jeans, was seen on video kicking at an officer and hitting him in the back.
Judge Pamela Goldsmith determined she posed a flight risk and set her bail at $25,000 cash or a $75,000 partially secured bond despite arguments from Vegas' defense attorney Eric Bernstein for her to be released on her own recognizance.
The attack erupted when two officers attempted to disperse a group in front of 220 West 42nd Street and Lieutenant Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian, are said to have suffered laceration, bruising and substantial shoulder pain.
Edgarlis Vegas, from Brooklyn, became the 13th suspect arrested in connection to the assault on January 27
Kotin told the court Vegas was seen on surveillance footage wearing a burgundy jacket and kicking out at Kurian.
The prosecutor claimed she changed her story about the events multiple times and said, 'she said she was trying to move other members of the group and fell backward.
'However she changed her story again. She was kicking a different member of the group and may have accidently kicked the officer.'
He added Vegas told authorities she moved to the US from Venezuela around three months ago and had only been staying in her permanent residence for a short period.
'Given lack of community ties or means of staying in touch with her attorneys, substantial bail is required,' Kotin said.
'People are requesting monetary bail at $30,000 cash, $90,000 insurance bond and $100,000 partially secured.'
Social media posts show Vegas in New York City and her life. She posted several video on TikTok where she dances or shows off her time in the Big Apple.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kotin told the court that Vegas, dressed in a green Nike sweatshirt and dark jeans, was seen on video kicking at an officer and hitting him in the back
Judge Pamela Goldsmith determined she posed a flight risk and set her bail at $25,000 cash or a $75,000 partially secured bond despite arguments from Vegas' defense attorney Eric Bernstein for her to be released on her own recognizance
Social media posts show Vegas in New York City and her life. She posted several video on TikTok where she dances or shows off her time in the Big Apple
Prosecutors said Vegas told authorities she moved to the US from Venezuela around three months ago and had only been staying in her permanent residence for a short period
Defense attorney Bernstein asked for Vegas to be released on her own recognizance.
He said: 'My client has nowhere to go and she has a place in Brooklyn and she will be back to
