State of New York v. Mekhiel Saldana

New York City, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Second Degree and three counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree.



As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, on August 25, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m., two police officers were attempting to arrest SALDANA on the Lower East Side for trying to kick commuters off of their bikes while hanging naked from a crosswalk pole. When the officers approached, SALDANA ran into the road and jumped on top of a car. Instead of complying with the officers, SALDANA jumped from the top of the car and grappled with them. He reached for two officers' guns and one officer's taser, and tackled them. While on the ground, SALDANA bit down on one of the officer's fingers for approximately two minutes and only released his grip when additional officers arrived.



SALDANA was eventually restrained and taken to Bellevue Hospital. As he was being examined, he lunged at one of the transporting officers while he was briefly unshackled so he could put on his shirt. SALDANA reached for his gun and they fell to the ground. SALDANA punched the officer multiple times in the head, until hospital security helped pull him off.



All three officers were placed on medical leave after this incident. One of the officers, who has lost feeling in two of her fingers, has been unable to return to work.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Phillip Klindt, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.'s Jennifer Sigall and Rachel Polisner (Deputy Chiefs of Trial Bureau 70), David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Rebekah Kim is also assisting with the case.



D.A. Bragg thanked the officers at the scene, in the hospital and all of the NYPD's 5th precinct.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.