The NYPD clashed with migrant sellers on Tuesday and confiscated their allegedly stolen merchandise in a problematic Jackson Heights area renowned for its illegal open-air market and hookers on the loose.
Police raided the area for the second day in a row after numerous unlawful vendors fled when designated spotters supposedly warned them that authorities were on their way.
The raid followed The Post’s broadcast of a piece in which a local store manager complained of “relentless” pranks.
Cops were back at it on Tuesday, concentrating on a triangular block bordered by Roosevelt Avenue, Elmhurst Avenue, and 91st Street around 1 p.m. to seize clothing items from approximately ten sellers who had exhibited the allegedly stolen goods on blankets for sale.
An officer slammed Mateo Hipolito Dominguez to the ground as authorities confiscated his belongings after accusing him of brandishing a box cutter.
“How can I damage a detective? “That f-king black guy is insane,” the man remarked of the police officer’s accusation. “Are you crazy?” he asked.
“This dark-skinned guy [the cop] slammed me to the ground over some shoes. I’m here working to support my family; they don’t target individuals who are genuinely nasty. But we’re here working, and they’re trying to mess with us,” Dominguez told reporters in Spanish.
“Why are cops constantly trying to meddle with us?” What are we doing? We’re only trying to support our family, but they grab our belongings,” stated the man, who whimpered in pain from an apparent arm injury sustained during the commotion.
When asked if he had a permit to sell his items, he responded, “No, but we are not stealing. No one takes action against those who are truly stealing.” But they come after us.”
Police also seized goods from vendor Alexandra Carcha and drove them away in a large white van.
“They leave all of their trash and recyclables on the ground.” But what I find unfair is that when they confiscate items, they assault people. “That is not right,” Carcha stated in Spanish.
“They assaulted an elderly man,” Carcha alleged.
“Three cops apprehended him and kicked him out.” I felt bad for him because, like me, he was working and earning money.
Carcha stated that she had not applied for a visa because she believed it would be granted.
“Before me, my mother applied for permission five years ago to work unofficially. She never received it. “Do you think I’ll have better luck than her?” The woman inquired.
During Monday’s raid, police confiscated Maria Aravello’s table of pants and leggings, despite her claim that she attempted to present them with a certificate of authenticity from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
“The police seized my table and leggings.” I bought new leggings. I’m a single mother with three children, and I need the money to pay my taxes every three months.” The police take, take, take,” Aravello stated.
According to The Post, many groups of female prostitutes were seen on Roosevelt Avenue in the early afternoon.
There were several stalls set up selling accessories like purses, wallets, and sunglasses, but there was little sign of the bustling market that usually occurs at the site.
Adjacent vans had set up stolen products for resale on the pavement, offering a substantial discount on everything from pricey power tools to basic items like mouthwash and diapers.
Milton Reyes, manager of Mi Farmacia in Jackson Heights, claimed that shoplifters would ransack his store and sell the merchandise on the pavement outside, while prostitutes proposed to passersby and madams, leading them to improvised brothels.
“It’s relentless,” Reyes told the Post on Sunday.
“You should watch it on Saturdays.” It’s so heavy that you can’t even step onto the sidewalk. Many physicians’ offices are nearby, and my customers prefer not to have their items dropped off.
The Post has contacted the NYPD about the confiscated items.
A reporter did not observe any arrests.
Nearly 190,000 migrants have arrived in the city in the last two years, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
“The Roosevelt Avenue [problem], as your paper has pointed out, you know, that’s a byproduct,” he said in response to a Post reporter’s inquiry.
“You know, some of the problems we’re facing—you know, in our city—are the byproduct of bringing thousands of people to a city and telling them they cannot work.”
