BRONX MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY STOMPED NYPD OFFICER’S HEAD DURING ROBBERY ARRAIGNED ON ATTEMPTED MURDER

 

Defendant Extradited from Virginia, Where He Fled After Incident 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man was arraigned today on an indictment charging Attempted Murder of a Police Officer for viciously stomping on the head of a cop during a robbery last month. The defendant was extradited from Virginia, where he had fled after the assault that left the officer with broken facial bones. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant and his accomplice allegedly approached the victim to rob him, pushed him to the ground, and when they saw his uniform, this defendant allegedly stomped on the officer’s head so forcefully that it left a shoe print on his face. The officer was between shifts over Memorial Day weekend, performing his duty protecting the public.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Taveon Hargrove, 23, of Seward Avenue, the Bronx, was arraigned today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Kim Parker and remanded. He is due back in court on September 12, 2025. He was extradited to New York from Virginia on June 24, 2025. 

Hargrove and Wayne Lucas, 23, of Cochise Trail North, Chesterfield, Virginia, were indicted on two counts of Attempted Murder in the first degree, Attempted Murder in the second degree, four counts of first-degree Robbery, two counts of second-degree Robbery, third-degree Robbery, three counts of first-degree Assault, four counts of second-degree Assault, Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer, Assault on a Peace Officer, Police Officer, Fireman or EMS Professional, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Six counts of fourth-degree Grand Larceny, five counts of Criminal Possession of fourth-degree Possession of Stolen Property.

According to the investigation, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Police Officer Chowdhury Nafees, 27, a member of the NYPD since September 2024, was between shifts for the holiday weekend and was walking on St. Peter’s Avenue in Westchester Square when Hargrove and Lucas allegedly approached him, put a knife to his neck and pushed him to the ground. They allegedly stole his wallet containing his credit cards, personal cell phone, Department issued cell phone, and Glock 19 9mm service pistol.

Before fleeing, the suspects allegedly punched Nafees multiple times in the face and Hargrove stomped on his head, slamming it into the ground. The attack was captured on video.

Nafees suffered head trauma, fractures to his left orbital bone and right cheekbone. He was taken to NYC Health +Hospitals Jacobi where he underwent treatment for four days.

The defendants fled to Virginia, where Hargrove was arrested on May 27, 2025, and Lucas was arrested on May 28, 2025. Hargrove fought extradition.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Sean Liscoe of the 45th Precinct Detective Squad, and NYPD Detective Joseph Rivera, of the Regional Fugitive Task Force for their work in the investigation. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.