Six Cops Among Motorcycle Group That Attacked SUV; Two Bikers Charged
Two bikers who allegedly attacked an SUV driver last week were arraigned over the weekend as new information – including a report that as many as six NYPD officers were among the group of motorcyclists – emerged about the incident.
Prosecutors say Reginald “Reggie” Chance, who turned himself in on Friday, is the biker with the silver helmet seen smashing in the windows of Alexian Lien's Range Rover. Chance was arraigned on Sunday and charged with first-degree gang assault, assault, and criminal mischief. As he was arraigned, he flipped off court reporters. His bail was set at $75,000, or $100,000 bond.
"The defendant stopped his bike, dismounted, and shattered the [SUV's] window," said Assistant District Attorney Samantha Turino. "The defendant's actions also provided other motorists, the co-defendants, with access and set into motion" the attack.
The New York Post reported that, in addition to Sims and Chance, at least three other bikers attacked Lien, dragging him from his car before reportedly kicking and punching him in front of his wife and two-year-old daughter
On Saturday, Robert Sims, a 35-year-old electrician from Brooklyn, was arraigned for his role in the attack, which allegedly included “stomping” on Lien. "This assault, and the actions of this defendant are clearly seen on the videotape," Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told DNA Info.
Sims' attorney, however, has another theory. "They need a fall guy, they need someone to take the weight off them [the off-duty NYPD bikers] and it looks like we have been chosen," attorney Luther Williams said. Sims was charged with gang assault, felony assault, and possession of a weapon, which police did not identify. His bail was set at $100,000.
As many as six NYPD officers were among the motorcyclists involved in the attack, according to DNA Info. On Friday, there was a report that an undercover narcotics officers stood by as the attack took place, and Internal Affairs now is investigating two detectives, one sergeant, and three police officers who reportedly witnessed or were involved in the attack, but did not intervene.