What to Know
- An off-duty NYPD officer suffered a fractured skull during a violent attack and robbery in the Bronx, according to police.
- Police said that he was approached by three individuals, who repeatedly struck the victim in the head before taking off with his cellphone, keys and wallet — which contained multiple debit cards and forms of ID.
- Police revealed the suspects are wanted for a string of over one dozen robberies.
A suspect wanted in connection to a violent attack and robbery on an off-duty NYPD officer that left him with a fractured skull was arrested, police said.
Oshawn Logan was arrested Friday, and the 18-year-old faces a slew of charges including robbery, assault, gang assault, grand larceny and weapon possession. As he was led out of the stationhouse by police, Logan said "I ain't do nothing. Stop talking to me."
Logan is believed to be part of the group that has terrorized parts of the Bronx and Queens with a string of violent robberies that have left nearly two dozen people injured. Police said that the group is responsible for at least 19 robberies.
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The latest attack, which involved the off-duty officer, occurred just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, when the officer may have been out for a morning jog. Police said that he was approached by three individuals, who repeatedly struck the victim in the head before taking off with his cellphone, keys and wallet — which contained multiple debit cards and forms of ID.
The victim was discovered by fellow officers lying wounded in the street near the intersection of Olmstead and Turnbull avenues in the Unionport neighborhood, right outside of the P.O. Serrano Playground. Police said he was bleeding from the ear.
The officer, identified as Muhammed Chowdhury, was taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was said to be in critical condition with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, police said. His family told News 4 on Wednesday that he is making steps toward recovery at the hospital, where he was progressing but was still expected to be for another few weeks before rehabbing.
A cousin said that doctors told them that it was touch-and-go for a while, giving him "72 hours that the might recover or might not" before Chowdhury woke up.
"He’s in better shape, I should say. Thank glad he’s in better shape. Who knows what happens next. He was brutally attacked. His head is totally injured," said Mohammed Ali, a friend of the injured officer. "He’s a very good man, unfortunately what happens was disgusting. We can’t tolerate this."
The 48-year-old Chowdhury was assigned to Central Park, but was not on duty at the time of the alleged attack. He lives in the Castle Rock neighborhood, in a house he purchased recently (his family's first house) just a few blocks from where he was attacked.
Police believe the mugging might be part of the robbery pattern. The men are responsible for several violent car jackings, and allegedly using the stolen cars to commit other crimes, according to police.
After getting news of the arrest of one of the suspects, a family member told NBC New York, "I hope justice is served for my cousin and all other innocent victims. I hope they aren't allowed to spread terror among citizens anymore."
Sources said that after attacking Chowdhury, an 18-year NYPD veteran, the three men fled in a black Honda Accord with New York license plates.
In a statement, Police Benevolence Association President Pat Lynch said "While we pray at our injured brother's bedside tonight, police officers across this city are searching for the cowards who did this to him. Make no mistake: we will find them."
The PBA boss went on to attack the justice system and lawmakers who "refuse to hold criminals accountable — not even a police officer can walk these streets safely."
There identities of the suspects were not yet made clear. A large ongoing investigation is underway.
"If it was up to me, I would take the law into my own hands for my friend. But the system doesn’t allow that," said Ali. "You can’t take law into your own hands, You have to work with the law.”
A woman who said she recognized the attackers said her family member was also attacked when he went out to get lunch.
"He was blocked in, cornered in at the stop sign. He was told to get out of the car and when he got out, a gun was out right in his temple of his head and they asked him to just give them the car and he let it go," said the woman, who did not wish to be identified.
With the robbers on the street, the victims’ friends and family are asking for the community to help out and speak up, as police continue their search.
“As we pray for the speedy recovery of this injured officer, the NYPD is actively investigating today’s attack on one of their own and is working tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice," Mayor Eric Adams' press secretary, Fabien Levy, said in a statement to News 4. "We will continue to work day in and day out to remove violent criminals from off the streets and end the unchecked violence in our city.”
