Homeless Migrant Attacks Rookie Female Cop at Port Authority Bus Terminal
An unsettling incident occurred at Midtown’s Port Authority Bus Terminal on Monday morning when a homeless migrant reportedly assaulted a rookie female police officer. The attacker, identified as Juan Jose Valencia, 30, expressed his hatred for women in law enforcement during the violent altercation, according to officials and sources.
The confrontation began when Valencia made gun gestures towards a Port Authority police officer at the terminal’s entrance around 6:45 a.m. When the officer approached him, Valencia became agitated, claiming to have a knife in his possession.
Valencia allegedly tripped the officer as she attempted to handcuff him, then launched a ferocious attack when she fell to the ground. Sources indicate that he repeatedly punched the officer while expressing his disdain for female police officers.
The officer called for backup before trying to apprehend Valencia. Even when additional officers arrived at the scene, Valencia continued to assault the officer while they attempted to restrain him.
Valencia, who reportedly immigrated from Colombia during the pandemic, was eventually arrested and charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. The officer sustained multiple injuries and was hospitalized as a result of the attack.
Records indicate that Valencia has a history of criminal behavior, including a warrant issued for his failure to appear in court on stalking and intimidation charges in 2022.
Following his arraignment on Tuesday, Valencia was held on bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for Friday. Frank Conti, president of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, condemned the attack on the officer and praised her actions in preventing harm to others.
“Monday’s incident in which a rookie, female Port Authority police officer was assaulted by an individual who stated his disdain for female cops is another example of what our officers face,” Conti stated. “Port Authority cops constantly go into harm’s way to provide a safe environment for the millions using Port Authority facilities daily. I am thankful our officer will recover, and credit her actions for preventing harm to anyone else.”
