A Bronx gang member with nine arrests this year for various charges is roaming freely on the streets of New York City, having been released multiple times without bail.
According to law enforcement sources, Emmanuel Santiago, a 32-year-old man who is believed to be a member of the Latin Kings gang, continues to be arrested despite currently facing seven open cases in the Bronx. These charges include intent to sell dangerous drugs, grand larceny of cars, possession of weapons, and allegations of domestic violence.
According to law enforcement sources, the audacious criminal was recently apprehended following a robbery in the Bronx in December. In this incident, he forcibly entered a police officer’s vehicle and stole a range of equipment, such as gun belts, ammunition, bulletproof vests, a riot shield, baton, mace, handcuffs, and a radio.
Law enforcement sources have revealed that Santiago, despite being accused of numerous offenses, including domestic incidents involving assaults and death threats against women, has consistently been released on non-monetary terms.
A former employee of Waffle House, who was found driving a stolen SUV, claimed to the police that it was a tip from a customer, according to authorities.
Despite being re-arrested for skipping court appearances, Santiago continued to accumulate a criminal record.
Since state lawmakers in Albany passed sweeping criminal justice reforms in 2019, there have been numerous cases of NYC recidivists being released without bail, only to find themselves back in custody shortly afterwards.
The reforms have done away with cash bail for the majority of non-violent felonies and misdemeanors. This has worsened the issues caused by laws that have been in place since 1971, which prevented judges from taking into account the risk of releasing someone back onto the streets when determining bail.
A tragic incident occurred on a San Antonio interstate where a 30-year-old man lost his life while chasing after his dogs.
An exasperated law enforcement source expressed frustration, stating, “If this individual is the intended target of Albany’s bail reform, then it appears to be progressing exactly as planned… a relentless pursuit of ideology.”
Albany and reformers believe that not incarcerating criminals is a way to advocate for criminal justice reform. However, this approach falls short, particularly when criminals continue to commit the same offenses without facing any consequences to correct their behavior.
The Bronx has experienced a significant rise in crime this year, according to the latest figures.
According to the latest NYPD figures, the East Bronx has seen a significant increase in crime rates. Specifically, rape has skyrocketed by 175%, felony assault has risen by 18%, grand larceny has surged by 70%, and major crimes overall have gone up by 27%.
In 2022, the NYPD reported that a small group of only 327 individuals were responsible for a significant 30% of the shoplifting crimes in the city. These numbers indicate that repeat offenders play a significant role in the occurrence of such crimes.
Recidivists, in total, have been arrested more than 6,600 times, which averages out to more than 20 arrests per person.
In 2022, the NYPD reported that only 10 criminals had accumulated a staggering 500 arrests since the implementation of bail reform in 2020.
According to a law enforcement source, the true issue with recidivism lies not in the quantity of arrests, but in the enduring mindset of disrespect for a functioning society.
“The reforms seem to apply equally to both a known member of the Latin Kings and a jaywalker.”
I reached out to the Bronx District Attorney’s office and the state Office of Court Administration for their response.
