Female Venezuelan migrant, 20, charged with kicking Times Square cops as they tackled a suspect appears in court where judge calls her a 'flight risk'

A 20-year-old Venezuelan migrant accused of violently kicking an NYPD cop during a Times Square melee was deemed a 'flight risk' and given bond during her first court appearance. 

Edgarlis Vegas, from Brooklyn, became the 13th suspect arrested in connection to the assault on January 27.

She was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday where she was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer.

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kotin told the court that Vegas, dressed in a green Nike sweatshirt and dark jeans, was seen on video kicking at an officer and hitting him in the back.

Judge Pamela Goldsmith determined she posed a flight risk and set her bail at $25,000 cash or a $75,000 partially secured bond despite arguments from Vegas' defense attorney Eric Bernstein for her to be released on her own recognizance.

The attack erupted when two officers attempted to disperse a group in front of 220 West 42nd Street and Lieutenant Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian, are said to have suffered laceration, bruising and substantial shoulder pain.

Edgarlis Vegas, from Brooklyn, became the 13th suspect arrested in connection to the assault on January 27

Kotin told the court Vegas was seen on surveillance footage wearing a burgundy jacket and kicking out at Kurian.

The prosecutor claimed she changed her story about the events multiple times and said, 'she said she was trying to move other members of the group and fell backward.

'However she changed her story again. She was kicking a different member of the group and may have accidently kicked the officer.'

He added Vegas told authorities she moved to the US from Venezuela around three months ago and had only been staying in her permanent residence for a short period.

'Given lack of community ties or means of staying in touch with her attorneys, substantial bail is required,' Kotin said.

'People are requesting monetary bail at $30,000 cash, $90,000 insurance bond and $100,000 partially secured.'

Social media posts show Vegas in New York City and her life. She posted several video on TikTok where she dances or shows off her time in the Big Apple. 

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kotin told the court that Vegas, dressed in a green Nike sweatshirt and dark jeans, was seen on video kicking at an officer and hitting him in the back

Judge Pamela Goldsmith determined she posed a flight risk and set her bail at $25,000 cash or a $75,000 partially secured bond despite arguments from Vegas' defense attorney Eric Bernstein for her to be released on her own recognizance

Social media posts show Vegas in New York City and her life. She posted several video on TikTok where she dances or shows off her time in the Big Apple

Prosecutors said Vegas told authorities she moved to the US from Venezuela around three months ago and had only been staying in her permanent residence for a short period

Defense attorney Bernstein asked for Vegas to be released on her own recognizance.

He said: 'My client has nowhere to go and she has a place in Brooklyn and she will be back to answer these charges when required.'

Judge Goldsmith said: 'The defendant does pose a risk of flight to the prosecution.

'I am setting monetary bail which is necessary to make sure the defendant returns to court.'

Prosecutor Kotin confirmed the case is set to be presented to a grand jury Thursday.

Vegas has no prior history of arrests but an image of her smiling was sent out by police before she was taken into custody on Monday.

Police officers are searching for two more suspects over the attack. Authorities have arrested 12 people who have been charged in connection with the brutal attack including Yohenry Brito, 24, Yorman Reveron, 24, Ulises Bohorquez, 21, Wilson Juarez, 21, Kelvin Servat Arocha, 19, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, 19 and Yarwuin Madris, 17.

Police were called to disperse a 'disorderly group' in front of 220 West 42 Street when suspect Yohenry Brito, 24, 'got confrontational with the officers'

Videos shows the two officers and Brito falling to the ground and during the struggle is when other suspects interfered by pulling, grabbing and kicking the officers

Police were called to disperse a 'disorderly group' in front of 220 West 42 Street when suspect Yohenry Brito, 24, 'got confrontational with the officers' and they attempted to arrest him, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

Authorities were called to disperse a 'disorderly group' in front of 220 West 42 Street when suspect Yohenry Brito, 24, 'got confrontational with the officers' and they attempted to arrest him, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. 

As Kurian is holding Brito against the wall, groups of people are heard shouting in Spanish at the officer.

That is when Brito attempted to escape from Kurian and with the assistance of Officer Zunxu Tian, the cops grabbed the migrant's clothing as they tried to restrain him.

Videos show the two officers and Brito falling to the ground and during the struggle is when other suspects interfered by pulling, grabbing and kicking the officers.

As Brito attempts to wriggle away, the officers are holding on to his shirt that he eventually takes off.

'Go arrest those guys,' Kurian said as the crowd fled.

ieutenant Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian, are said to have suffered laceration, bruising and substantial shoulder pain in the attack

Darwin Andres Gomez (left) and Kelvin Servita Arocha were initially released without bail and are thought to have tried to flee

Wilson Juarez (left) and Yorman Reveron (right) have also been charged in connection to the case

The case quickly drew international attention. It took days for police to indict the suspects in the case. Several were freed shortly after the attack on bail and some fled the area. 

Brito, Gomes, Reveron and Arocha are all charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree obstructing governmental administration. 

Police say neither Juarez nor Arocha ever hit the officers, but that Arocha kicked a police radio as Juarez watched from a distance before giving his jacket to Brito.

Gomez is accused of grabbing one officer and kicking the other one while Reveron allegedly grabbed, pulled and threw the two cops on the ground.

Wilson Juarez, is now believed to have watched the brawl from a distance without participating. He has since been charged with tampering with physical evidence because he allegedly traded his jacket with a man who fled police following the confrontation, prosecutors said,

One suspect who was arrested and released without bail last week was not indicted - Jhoan Boada, 22, who was once pictured leaving the courthouse with his middle fingers up at reporters.