The man accused of stealing a $3,000 gold-plated rose from a church's Sept. 11 memorial laughed during his arraignment Saturday night, as prosecutors listed a litany of crimes he has allegedly committed over the past month.
Judge Simeon Haneef admonished Dekel Alcantara, 21, for his atrocious behaviour, as he fidgeted, smiled and laughed as the court heard about his cruel actions.
“I don't know if you think this is funny, but they're about to ask for bail,” the judge said as the prosecutor detailed Alcantara's alleged crimes.
Authorities say Alcantara was seen entering St. Francis Assisi Church on West 31st Street by a security guard who said the defendant headed straight toward the golden rose that was the centerpiece of the September 11 Memorial.
The security guard says he warned Alcantara not to touch the memorial and then continued his rounds — at which point Alcantara picked the gold-plated rose and fled, according to prosecutors.
That rose has not yet been recovered.
According to authorities, Alcantara was involved in a spree of crimes committed by one man over the past month.
Cops say he attacked a senior citizen with a metal pipe on Oct. 24. He is facing charges of second-degree assault for this incident, which left the victim with an injured arm.
The villain also has another misdemeanor for which details are not available.
As the assistant district attorney told the court about his alleged heinous actions, Alcantara continued to laugh and smile.
“Let the record reflect that this defendant was laughing the entire time,” Judge Hanif said. “This is a big joke for him, that's what it is. This is a big joke for you, isn't it?”
His father turned Alcantara into police on Friday night.
He was ordered held on $75,000 bail.
He is charged with grand larceny for stealing the rose.
Alcantara is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.
