Bronx mugger who attacked NYPD rookie cop held without bail.

A 23-year-old man from the Bronx was ordered to be held without bail on Wednesday in relation to his alleged involvement in a violent attack on an off-duty police officer. The suspect, Taevon Hargrove, faces serious charges including attempted murder, attempted robbery, and assault as a result of a robbery that occurred on May 24, 2025, during which Police Officer Chowdhury Nafees was brutally attacked.

During his arraignment at the Bronx Criminal Court, Hargrove remained silent. It was revealed that he and an accomplice, Wayne Lucas, confronted Officer Nafees, 27, at knifepoint early in the morning near St. Peters and Tratman Avenues in Westchester Square. According to the prosecution, Hargrove and Lucas not only attacked Nafees, knocking him unconscious, but also stole his cellphone, wallet, police identification, and his loaded service weapon. The prosecution described how Hargrove continued the violent assault even after realizing the victim was a police officer.

Following the attack, Hargrove allegedly “stomped the life” out of Nafees, leaving a shoe print on the officer’s face that persisted well over a week after the incident. This brutal act was captured on surveillance video, showcasing the ferocity of the assault. A good Samaritan discovered Nafees unconscious on the pavement and promptly alerted the authorities. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and required multiple surgeries before being released later that month.

Authorities apprehended Hargrove in Virginia after he spent a month contesting his extradition back to New York. His accomplice, Lucas, was also arrested in Virginia and subsequently extradited. Hargrove’s father was arrested for using Nafees’s credit cards, which led to a police investigation that ultimately located Hargrove.

The President of the Police Benevolent Association, Patrick Hendry, expressed outrage over the violent nature of the attack, highlighting the suspects’ recognition of Nafees’s police uniform before continuing the robbery. Judge Kim Parker presided over the bail hearing, where the prosecutor noted Hargrove’s previous criminal record, which included multiple robbery convictions.

Nafees, originally from Bangladesh, came to the U.S. five years ago with aspirations of serving as a police officer. He previously worked as a 911 dispatcher and joined the NYPD just months prior to the attack. While he is currently recovering, he continues to experience significant physical pain and blurry vision as a result of his injuries.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns regarding violence against law enforcement officers in urban environments, prompting discussions on public safety and crime prevention strategies. As the legal proceedings unfold, both the NYPD and community members are left to reflect on the implications of such a violent act within their neighborhoods. The prosecution has indicated that they are pursuing full accountability for Hargrove and Lucas, emphasizing the need for justice in the face of such brutality.