CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER, RESISTING ARREST AND 3 ADDITIONAL CHARGES, MAN WITH 24 PRIOR ARRESTS WAS RELEASED WITH NO BAIL UNDER GOV. CUOMO’S BAIL REFORM

Man who sucker-punched cop in Brooklyn is back on his old turf

By Ruth Weissmann and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

New York Post
December 29, 2019

The man who was arrested for sucker-punching an NYPD cop in Brooklyn was back at his old stomping ground Sunday — just two days after being released without bail despite a slew of charges.

Steven Haynes, 40, returned to Livingston and Court streets in Downtown Brooklyn — where police say he slugged and brawled with one of New York’s Finest on Thursday — after being cut loose, irritating local merchants who say he’s been a troublesome presence on the block for months.

“No bail. Three hours, he was back in the same spot,” Michael Vitiello, general manager of an Italian restaurant two doors down, told The Post. “They had a cop sitting there, just watching him. He got his own security ‘cuz he’s a celebrity now.”

“They could have locked him up in Bellevue last night, but they didn’t do it,” he continued. “Now he’s back in the street causing problems.”

Haynes on Sunday was in an out of a Popeye’s fast-food restaurant on the block that’s next door to the Bank of America branch where he allegedly punched the cop on Thursday.

He was photographed by The Post sipping a single-serving shot of Georgi vodka on the corner Sunday.

His quick return to the neighborhood stunned even the local panhandler, whose usual spot is next to Haynes on the sidewalk.

“I’m dumbfounded,” said Jesus, 28. “If it was me I would still be in jail. I’m coherent. I don’t have any mental problems — but that should not be justification for hitting a cop.”

He said Haynes “started getting the pints” and “now he’s a little aggressive with the mouth.”

“Now he’s starting to spit at people, started to curse people out,” Jesus said. “The other day he went at the delivery guy like, ‘why you always around me?'”

Cops asked Haynes to move at least twice Sunday, but he returned after officers left.

His scuffle with the cop Thursday, which was caught on video, came after police got complaints he was sitting on the sidewalk drinking and blocking pedestrians.

He allegedly punched the officer and wrestled him to the ground, sending a nearby trashcan flying into the street.

The cop’s partner and other officers eventually subdued Haynes and took him into custody.

Haynes, who has at least 24 prior arrests, was charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct and an alcohol violation.

He was cut loose on supervised release Friday, records show.

City judges have begun to release many defendants who are charged with lower-level crimes — in anticipation of a state bail reform measure due to take effect Jan. 1.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Back in the law and order days, for punching a cop, this dirtbag would have had to be hospitalized before he could be taken to jail.