Cops arrest two perps on assault and weapons charges

Police officers from the 72^nd Precinct nabbed a pair of suspected perps, catching one of them after he tossed his gun onto the roof of a building adjacent to a Sunset Park church.

The arrest occurred in the wake of an assault on a 21-year-old man eating at the Subway restaurant near Fourth Avenue and 24^th Street on April 4 at approximately 7:26 p.m.

Cops say that three male perps approached the victim, slapping him several times in an unsuccessful effort to grab his backpack, while one of them motioned towards a gun located under his clothing. They then fled the restaurant, but quickly returned, punching the victim in the face when they saw him call 911.

The perps fled again, this time in separate directions. Officers from the 72^nd Precinct’s Anti-Crime team responded and looked for the perps with the help of the victim, while broadcasting a description of the trio.

Sergeant Eric Luk and Officers Pedro Vallecillo and Elvis Merizalde located and arrested one of the suspects near 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue after the victim identified him as one of the perps.

Police Officers Ronnie Rodriguez along with Myles McKenna, both in plain clothes, searched for the remaining two suspects along Fifth Avenue where they spotted a second suspect riding a bicycle, along Fifth Avenue, heading towards them.

As Rodriguez stopped the unmarked police car near 19th Street, McKenna exited the car to try and make the arrest.  However, when he saw the officers, the perp dropped his bicycle and fled on foot east bound on 19th Street.  As the suspect attempted to flee the scene, he threw a .22 caliber Beretta onto the roof of Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Church, near 19^th Street and Fifth Avenue. Shortly after, officers apprehended him.  The firearm was found on the roof of the church.

Both 19-year-old Luis Reynoso and 23-year-old Joshua Membrano were charged with robbery in the first and second degree, criminal possession of a weapon, assault in the third degree and resisting arrest. Membrano was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The victim sustained swelling to his face and was sent to Maimonides Medical Center for treatment.