Repeat Offender Yohenry Brito Arrested for Sephora Thefts in Manhattan

Yohenry Brito, a Venezuelan migrant, has been arrested for his involvement in thefts at two Sephora stores in Manhattan. The first theft occurred in July, during which Brito stole fragrances by cutting the security wires on display cases. His second theft took place on August 6, where he and an accomplice stole $1,358 worth of merchandise.

While Brito was apprehended, his accomplice is still at large. Brito’s criminal record continues to grow, with multiple thefts preceding and following a major incident in Times Square earlier this year.

In January, Brito made headlines for his role in a violent attack on two NYPD officers in Times Square. He was one of seven migrants involved in the assault, which was caught on video as the group attacked the officers during a crowd dispersal.

Five of Brito’s accomplices were arrested and charged with assaulting the officers and obstructing justice, though they were released without bail. One of them was later exonerated, while Brito himself was released initially, only to be re-arrested and held on bail after public outrage over his release.

Despite being held on $15,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond, Brito was released in February when Reverend Juan Ruiz from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church posted the bail. Ruiz justified the bail by asserting that Brito was innocent until proven guilty and considered his church a sanctuary.

However, Brito’s criminal activity continued, and in April, he was arrested again for attempting to steal children’s clothing and fragrances from Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan. At this point, the presiding judge, Laura Ward, warned Brito that any future arrests would lead to high bail and guaranteed incarceration.

Brito’s repeated arrests have caused concern among law enforcement and the public, particularly because of his role in the assault on the NYPD officers. In light of his latest theft-related arrest, Patrick Hendry, the President of the NYC Police Benevolent Association (PBA), voiced relief that Brito is back behind bars. Hendry emphasized that Brito and his accomplices in the Times Square attack have proven they cannot be trusted to remain free without continuing to break the law.

Brito’s case has reignited discussions about how the criminal justice system handles repeat offenders, especially those with violent and theft-related crimes. His continued release, despite repeated offenses, raises questions about the effectiveness of bail policies and the capacity of the system to prevent recidivism. The handling of his case may lead to further calls for stricter measures against individuals who repeatedly engage in criminal activity.