A New Jersey man with multiple prior arrests was charged after allegedly biting a police sergeant during a violent encounter at a Brooklyn subway station earlier this month. Despite the alleged assault and his criminal history, the suspect was released by a judge on non-monetary conditions.

Derrick Daniels, 23, was apprehended around 5:15 a.m. on September 13 at the Brighton Beach station, according to law enforcement officials. Police said officers recognized Daniels, who was wanted on a bench warrant, and attempted to take him into custody. Authorities said he resisted arrest aggressively and bit a sergeant on the forearm, breaking her skin and causing visible injury. The sergeant is currently recovering at home. Additionally, a detective sustained a knee injury during the incident.

Daniels was charged with two counts of assault related to the altercation. He also faces two counts of grand larceny linked to incidents at two separate subway stations. Police said Daniels allegedly stole phones from passengers who were asleep at both the Parkside Avenue station on August 26 and the Stillwell Avenue station on September 9. The stolen phones were reportedly found in his possession at the time of his arrest.

According to police sources, Daniels has been arrested seven times previously, including three times in the past year, primarily for offenses connected to the transit system. Law enforcement officials noted that over half of all individuals arrested for transit-related crimes in 2026 have three or more prior arrests.

Despite his lengthy record and the severity of the most recent allegations, Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Michele Russo ordered Daniels released under non-monetary conditions. It remains unclear whether prosecutors sought bail, as attempts to obtain comment from the Brooklyn district attorney’s office were unsuccessful.

A police source commented on the broader challenges posed by repeat offenders in the city’s subway system, highlighting concerns about the safety of officers performing their duties. "We’re being assaulted in the transit system while we’re doing our job," the source said, underscoring ongoing frustrations with what some describe as a revolving-door criminal justice process impacting public transit enforcement.