New Rochelle Man with Black Skeleton Mask Arrested on Violence Assault of Elderly Man

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article had been updated from the original NRPD press release based on information from the defendant’s arraignment on February 16, 2023 in New Rochelle City Court including the Felony Complaint, victim statement, witness statement, order of protection hearing and bail hearing attended by this reporter.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 16, 2023) — A long-time chef, with warrants out in three states, including one in Alabama for assault and strangulation and two in New Jersey for domestic assault and weapons possession was picked up by New Rochelle Police on a local warrant issued in January following a violent assault at the Oasis Shelter in New Rochelle where the victim and defendant both lived.

Police narrative: February 15, 2023, at about 11:00 pm, New Rochelle Detectives executed a Warrant of Arrest on one Duane Floyd, for a violet assault on an elderly male that occurred on February 7th, 2023. During the investigation into Mr. Floyd, it was found that he has 2 active non-extraditable warrants out of New Jersey for Domestic Assault and weapons possession, and a warrant out of Alabama for assault and strangulation.

NOTE: The Felony Complaint (see below) filed in New Rochelle City Court says the date of the incident was the early morning of Sunday January 22, 2023 (the NRPD press release says February 7, 2023). The incident took place at the Oasis Shelter at 19 Washington Avenue in New Rochelle.

During the arrest, Mr. Floyd was found to be in possession of an imitation Glock handgun as well a black skeleton mask and multiple large knives. Mr. Floyd has been a suspect in previous menacing investigations and additional charges are possible on a future date.

Arrest & Charges:

Duane Floyd, 37, of New Rochelle, NY.

• Assault – 2nd (Injure a victim 65 years old or older and actor is more than 10 years younger, a D Felony
• Execute Warrant of Arrest
  

According to the Felony Complaint written by a New Rochelle Police officer and filed by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred on Sunday January 22, 2023 (the NRPD press release say’s February 7, 2023) at 5:30 am at the Oasis Shelter at 19 Washington Avenue in New Rochelle.

Floyd is alleged to have grabbed the victim’s head and pushed it against a wall, thrown the victim to the ground, the kicked the victim in the body, the punched him multiple times with a closed fist in the face and head. The victim told police he was punched four times in the face.

As the result of the alleged assault, the victim sustained bruising and swelling to his head, as well as substantial pain and suffering, and was taken to Mount Vernon Hospital.

The victim later told police that when Floyd gets up in the morning he turns on loud music and starts swearing and insulting Latino residents. On the morning of January 22nd, the victim was going towards the bathroom when Floyd approached him and “told me not to say anything or he would fight me he also told me to shut up. I asked him what is the problem with us Latinos because every time he says curse words. He replied I don’t care. He asked me if I was going to go to the bathroom as I walked inside. When I looked up at the mirror inside the bathroom, he was behind me.”

As the victim was washing his hands, the alleged assault began and did not end until Floyd left the bathroom with the victim on the floor. After first walking to New Rochelle Hospital, the leaving after a “long wait”, the victim took a bus to Mount Vernon Hospital where he was treated and released. Later that evening, after Floyd had left the shelter, the victim called New Rochelle Police and made a complaint not knowing Floyd’s name.

An employee of the Oasis Shelter was present when the victim met with a police officer and identified the suspect as Duane Floyd.

A warrant was issued. On the night of February 15, the warrant was executed. Floyd was taken into police custody and arraigned at about 4:00 pm on Thursday February 16.

Floyd was arraigned before Judge Jared R. Rice in New Rochelle City Court. Floyd was represented by a Legal Aid attorney.

The DA sought Temporary Orders of Protection for the victim and the witness who identified Floyd. After listening to arguments from the lawyers, Judge Rice issued a full stay order for both parties so, for now, Floyd cannot return to the Oasis Shelter.

The charge against Floyd is a “qualifying offense” (monetary bail eligible).

During the bail hearing before Judge Rice, Floyd’s lawyer said her client lived in Westchester for a couple of years. He performs work at the Oasis Shelter. He has worked as a chef for 22 years, most recently at Ava Ava Restaurant Bar & Lounge on Division Street and Crotty’s Cheesesteaks on Eastchester Road.

The DA argued that Floyd was a flight-risk citing the 2 active non-extraditable warrants out of New Jersey for Domestic Assault and weapons possession. The DA did not bring up the warrant out of Alabama for assault and strangulation. The DA requested bail set at $5,000 cash, Floyd’s lawyer said Floyd said he could put up $250 cash.

Rice set bail at $500 cash $2,500 bond, $10,000 partially-secured bond.

Unable to post bail. Floyd was remanded to Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, NY and taken into custody at the jail at about 7:00 pm.

Floyd was given a return date to New Rochelle City Court of March 2, 2023.