MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) -- A Chilean woman was detained in front of her 12-year-old daughter while officers were trying to arrest another suspect near Penn Station in Manhattan, a spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed to PIX11 News.
Video circulating on social media appears to show the moment Javiera Andrea, 33, was taken into custody while her daughter watched nearby. Andrea was later released but charged with resisting arrest, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct, officials report.
Officers were in the process of investigating a call of four men who allegedly stole $32,000 worth of merchandise from Sunglass Hut at 510 Avenue of the Americas on May 28, just before 4:30 p.m., according to authorities.
Police say while in the process of apprehending one of the suspects, Andrea allegedly tried to stop officers from arresting him.
Both Andrea and Ruben Betancourt, 19, were taken into custody, a representative told PIX11 News. Betancourt also faces charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct.
Andrea's 12-year-old daughter was escorted to the precinct and was later reunited with her mother after she was released.
When asked if the woman was a tourist, a spokesperson for the NYPD did not respond at the time of publishing.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
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