Posted on: October 22, 2025 09:45 AM

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Manhattan man indicted for allegedly stabbing off duty NYPD officer

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Royal T. Hooks, 28, of Manhattan, for Assault in the Second Degree and Petit Larceny, for allegedly stealing property from a vehicle parked on the driveway of two off-duty New York City Police officers and stabbing one of them when they attempted to apprehend him and take him into custody after a brief pursuit.

“This indictment demonstrates the importance of community vigilance and the dedication of our law enforcement officers, even when off duty,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will now reinforce their dedication through the efficient and impactful prosecution of this case.”

According to the investigation, on October 9, 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Hooks was allegedly walking along 40th Street in Lindenhurst attempting to gain access to multiple vehicles. Two off-duty NYPD officers, who are also related, allegedly saw Hooks rummaging through a vehicle parked on their driveway. The officers confronted Hooks and ordered him to stop. Instead, Hooks allegedly took off and immediately fled on foot. During the pursuit, the officers identified themselves as law enforcement officers multiple times before they caught up to the defendant.

Upon catching him, one of the officers again identified himself as a police officer with the NYPD, and informed Hooks that he was under arrest.

At that point, Hooks allegedly brandished a knife and stabbed the victim in the leg. Hooks was held at the scene by the off-duty officers until uniformed Suffolk County Police officers arrived to take him into custody. A bottle of cologne allegedly stolen from one of the vehicles was found along the route the defendant fled.

The victim suffered a laceration to his left thigh which required multiple stitches to close.

On October 21, 2025, Hooks was arraigned on the indictment before, Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony and Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

From DA