19 Attacks Since January. 7 in One April Weekend. Judges Let Them Walk.

Since January 21, 2025, a crew made up of three females and one male, ages 17 to 19, has launched a coordinated crime spree that has now totaled at least 19 violent robberies of taxi drivers. Their attacks have grown more aggressive, frequently involving pepper spray, physical assaults, and theft of cash, phones, and wallets.

The most violent surge occurred between April 25 and May 4, when seven attacks took place in just three days. In one case, a 73-year-old driver was sprayed in the face and robbed. In another, a 22-year-old was attacked and robbed of $1,280. All victims were taxi drivers simply doing their jobs.

Despite multiple arrests, the suspects are repeatedly released within hours. In one case, DA Alvin Bragg requested $300,000 bail for a known repeat offender tied to these assaults (Taylor Williams who identifies as Lamonte Williams) the judge ignored it and released the juvenile, even after multiple violent arrests.

One of the victims, driver Juan Grullón, will be present at the press conference. Grullón picked up the suspects in the Bronx and initially felt safe, explaining that he assumed they were gay and did not feel threatened. That changed when they pepper-sprayed him and robbed him of $300 on Madison Avenue.

“Imagine if these criminals had pepper-sprayed a judge or mugged a district attorney — would they still be walking free? I doubt it. But because they target taxi drivers, there’s no outrage, no punishment, and no accountability. Our drivers are being hunted by a gang, and the system is protecting the criminals more than the victims,” said Fernando Mateo, NYSFTD Spokesman.

“We are sick and tired of this revolving door of justice. DA Bragg tried to do the right thing and the judges undercut him. These are not pranks. These are organized, repeated acts of violence. If the family courts and juvenile facilities can’t hold them, then we need funding and reform to make that possible. And if they can’t be rehabilitated — lock them up,” said Steven Rivera, President of NYSFTD.

The NYSFTD is calling on New Yorkers, lawmakers, and judges to wake up before more drivers are hurt or killed.