April 27, 2021 By Christina Santucci
A detective investigating a burglary in Flushing Monday was struck in the head with a large, fiberglass stick by a man who snuck up behind him – and the incident was caught on camera.
The video, shared by the Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA) on Twitter, showed the detective processing the crime scene at a pharmacy at 39-07 Prince St. – when he was assaulted at about 11:50 a.m. The burglary had occurred at about 5 a.m., the NYPD said.
A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and holding two fiberglass sticks – one in each hand – walked up behind the detective and struck him on the side of the head, then took off running down the street – with another officer in pursuit.
Meanwhile, the injured detective knelt over and clutched his head – where he had been hit.
DEA President Paul DiGiacomo said that the sticks were construction markers, which act like whips when swung.
“When you swing it, it whips back and forth and they are very painful when you get hit with that,” he said.
The detective – a 25-year veteran of the department and 14-year member of the Crime Scene Unit – was taken to New York Hospital Queens to be treated for his injuries. He remained under observation Tuesday, DiGiacomo said.
Police said that they apprehended the alleged attacker – 25-year-old Akeele Morgan of the Bronx – nearby. Morgan was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and harassment, the NYPD said.
“This was unprovoked. This was intentional, and [the suspect] did it because he was a detective in uniform ” Giacomo said. The union is looking into filing a civil suit in the attack, he said.
Information about Morgan’s attorney was not immediately available.
Welcome to NYC!
Even as our Detectives investigate crimes they’re attacked by emboldened criminals, who have quickly realized there are no consequences for law breakers in our city.
The DEA is calling for this violence to be fully prosecuted as we look to file civil charges. pic.twitter.com/3FuiBEEcE1
— Detectives’ Endowment Association (@NYCPDDEA) April 26, 2021
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