Second suspect identified in beating of NYPD officer

Editor's note: The above video aired on May 25, 2025.

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Police have identified the second suspect sought for allegedly beating and robbing an NYPD officer over the weekend, officials said.

Wayne Lucas, 23, is wanted in connection with the attack on the 27-year-old cop Saturday in the Bronx, according to the NYPD.

Taveon Hargrove, 23, was arrested Tuesday. He was taken into custody in Virginia.

Police said the suspects allegedly put a knife up to the officer’s throat and stole his gun, iPhone, and wallet on St. Peter's Avenue at around 4 a.m. Saturday. The cop was critically injured after he was stomped in the head, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

The officer had just finished an overnight shift and was heading home. Surveillance footage shows the cop, still in uniform, walking at 4:08 a.m. right before being attacked by two masked suspects. 

"They approached him—one in front, one in the back—and they caught him off guard,” Adams said. “One of them stepped on his face in a violent way."

The officer’s brother-in-law, Gazi Hasan, said the family is devastated.

“The family is shocked about the situation," he said.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).