By Dan Murphy
Several recent incidents at the Ramada Inn in Yonkers show some migrants unhappy. The video, posted on the Yonkers Voice, https://www.facebook.com/YonkersVoiceNews, and on Hamlet Hub Yonkers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0eDdasrbuY, show police arriving at the hotel and detaining a man.
The migrant residents of the hotel are upset about the security at the hotel and their claims of security illegally entering their rooms and stealing.
Here is the information from the Yonkers Police Department:
Just before 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the Yonkers Police Department responded to the Ramada Inn at 125 Tuckahoe Road on a report of a dispute between hotel staff and a migrant residing at that location.
During this call for service on April 9, 2024, hotel staff related that while conducting an inspection of a room, a male resident became violent with staff, throwing items, including food, and attacking people. When Officers arrived, they were immediately directed to this male by hotel management, later identified as Arnal KENT (35), and approached him to place him under arrest. A group of migrants began to crowd the officers, taking to their phones to record the incident and creating a commotion.
While attempting to place KENT under arrest, he began to pull away from the Officers. After placing KENT into handcuffs, the Officers began to walk him to their vehicle for transport to the Yonkers City Jail. While doing so, KENT refused to walk with the Officers, again pulling away from them several times. When approaching the doors of the establishment, KENT extended his foot to push off of the door into the Officers, again attempting to impede their efforts to bring him to their vehicle. KENT continued to refuse to cooperate with the Officers and walk to the vehicle.
When the Officers finally reached the vehicle with KENT, a female identified as Yainilet HERNANDEZ (24) injected herself into the situation and stood in front of the door to the Police vehicle in an attempt to prevent the Officers from opening it to put KENT inside. After disobeying several attempts to move, Officers had to push HERNANDEZ out of the way in order to open the door and safely detain KENT in the rear of the vehicle. HERNANDEZ also attempted to pull Officers away from KENT in the process.
As a disorderly crowd grew around the Officers, several other Yonkers Police Officers arrived to assist and ensure the safety of all involved. Officers then waited several minutes for tension in the crowd to decrease, then approached HERNANDEZ to place her under arrest for Obstruction of Governmental Administration for her attempts to prevent the lawful arrest of KENT.
When Officers attempted to place HERNANDEZ into handcuffs, she immediately pulled away from several Officers and attempted to strike multiple Officers with her hands. Officers utilized a standard takedown to control HERNANDEZ on the ground and safely place her into handcuffs. She was transported to an area hospital to be treated for minor abrasions and was later released before being booked for her crimes.
In this struggle, one Officer sustained injuries to his right knee and wrist and subsequently had to be placed off-duty.
KENT was charged with Menacing 3rd Degree, Disorderly Conduct, Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd Degree, and Resisting Arrest. In compliance with bail laws, KENT was released with an Appearance Ticket.
HERNANDEZ was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd Degree, and Resisting Arrest. HERNANDEZ was held on bail.
Background: In May 2023, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (NYCDHS) relocated approximately 250 adults and children from New York City to the Ramada Inn in Yonkers. The program, run by NYC DHS and Westhab, provides full-time coverage of those housed at the location, including contracted security and terms on which their housing is provided.
