Staten Island man, 23, charged with attempted murder in brutal robbery of NYPD officer in Bronx

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A 23-year-old man from Stapleton has been charged with attempted murder in the violent robbery of an off-duty NYPD officer in the Bronx.

Wayne Lucas, who lives on Tompkins Avenue, was arrested on Wednesday for the incident where the officer was critically injured and his gun was stolen on May 24 around 4 a.m. on St. Peters Avenue, according to a statement from the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The NYPD previously asked for the public’s help to locate Lucas for questioning in the robbery where two individuals forced 27-year-old Officer Chowdhury Nafees to the ground.

The individuals allegedly struck Nafees numerous times in the face, causing multiple fractures, and held a knife to the officer’s throat, according to the police statement.

The attackers used force to steal the victim’s registered firearm, wallet and iPhone before fleeing on foot with the loot, police allege.

EMS transported the officer in critical condition to a local hospital.

Appointed to “The Finest” in January 2024, Nafees is assigned to Police Service Area 9 that includes New York City Housing Authority complexes in Queens, according to public records.

On May 28, the NYPD posted a video of the officer being released from the hospital on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In addition to being charged by police with attempted murder of a police officer, Lucas is accused of attempted robbery, attempted aggravated assault of a police officer and attempted criminal possession of a weapon, according to the police statement.

Lucas has been indicted on a slew of charges and is scheduled to be arraigned in state Supreme Court in the Bronx on Thursday. A defense attorney is not yet listed in public records.

Jeffrey Hargrove, 55, was arrested on May 25 in connection with the incident, according to a statement from police that did not list the defendant’s home address.

Hargrove, whose first name also is spelled Jeffery in public records, was indicted on charges that include petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. He is due to be arraigned in state Supreme Court in the Bronx on July 14, according to public records.

Attorney Molly Harwood, who is representing Lucas, declined to comment at this time.