MANHATTAN, NY — A disturbing incident occurred in late May near the intersection of West 118th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, resulting in the hospitalization of a 43-year-old on-duty NYPD traffic agent. The agent suffered an eye injury after being sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher in what appears to be a planned assault.
The attack took place around 6:50 AM while the traffic agent was driving a marked NYPD cruiser. A gray four-door sedan, carrying four individuals, pulled alongside the cruiser. One of the occupants then sprayed the agent with a fire extinguisher. The vehicle quickly fled the scene, and the harrowing moment was captured on video and later posted to Instagram.
Police have identified one of the suspects involved in this assault as 19-year-old Escarlin Polanco Gonzalez, who has a distinct neck tattoo visible in an NYPD mugshot released Monday night.
The NYPD 28th Precinct is actively investigating the case and is seeking additional information about the other individuals involved.