Prosecutors in New York City have reportedly declined to charge a man arrested in connection with the defacing of historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on May 30.
Yadir Avila Rosas, 26, was arrested early Saturday morning, a city police spokesperson told the New York Post. The New York Post reported an arraignment in Rosas’s case that was expected later that afternoon never happened, and prosecutors won’t be perusing charges against him.
Rosas was the alleged driver in a getaway car for two women police are searching for, who they say spray painted the front of the cathedral, located at Fifth Avenue and 51st Street in Manhattan.
New York City, like many other major cities, has been inundated with massive demonstrations in recent days protesting the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody. Among the demonstrations has been widespread looting, vandalism, and arson.
New York has seen some of the most egregious examples of violence and destruction of property during riots. City police officers have reported having water bottles, bricks, and other objects thrown at them while attempting to clear streets of protesters.
Some financial experts have estimated the destruction caused by the demonstrations could cost the city tens of millions of dollars.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has received criticism, including from Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, about his response to the demonstrations and riots. Over the weekend, de Blasio announced a series of reforms for city police, including cutting funds to the police department.
“The details will be worked out in the budget process in the weeks ahead. But I want people to understand that we are committed to shifting resources to ensure that the focus is on our young people,” he said.
