New York NYPD Detective Wojciech Braszczok involved in bikers' attack on motorist Alexian Lien

Perp: Detective Wojciech Braszczok & several bikers

Victim: Alexian Lien

Department: New York Police Department

Location: New York City, New York

Washington Post: NYPD undercover officer accused of punching SUV window in biker melee unmasked in courtroom (Oct 8 2013)

... Detective Wojciech Braszczok’s lawyer insisted he would be exonerated by the very video prosecutors say incriminates him in the Sept. 29 melee.

An undercover police detective accused of punching out an SUV window during a motorcycle rally that descended into violence was unmasked Wednesday in a courtroom where he was confronted with serious assault charges.

“The allegation is that he struck the rear portion hatchback window, which has a gaping hole already in it; it’s already destroyed,” attorney John Arlia said. “Under the law, it’s a fatal flaw. You can’t break what’s already broken.”

Arlia said the video clearly shows Braszczok didn’t participate in the eventual attack on the SUV driver and was nowhere near him. Braszczok hasn’t been charged with assaulting the driver, Alexian Lien, who authorities say was pulled from his Range Rover and beaten on the street by other motorcyclists.

...

Braszczok did nothing to stop the assault, prosecutors said. He didn’t call 911 and didn’t report it to his superiors for two days, and then when he did he lied about it, Assistant District Attorney Samantha Turino said. At first Braszczok told investigators he didn’t see the attack, then changed his story to say he saw it but didn’t participate, she said.

The detective was stripped of his gun and badge after internal affairs detectives discovered he was present for at least part of the encounter. He initially told authorities and his union that he left without intervening in part because of his role as an undercover officer.

Uniformed officers, even off duty, are expected to jump in if a crime is occurring, but rules are murkier for undercover officers, who face blowing their covers if they come forward.

Investigators discovered video evidence showing Braszczok punching an already damaged back window, causing it to shatter, then twice kicking the passenger side of the SUV before leaving the scene, prosecutors said.​