District Attorney Tom Walsh announced that a Rockland County Grand Jury has handed down an indictment against 22-year-old Kevin Mazariego-Figueroa of Hillcrest, NY, in connection with a violent and disturbing incident involving a female passenger inside a taxicab in Spring Valley.
Mazariego-Figueroa has been charged with Kidnapping in the Second Degree, two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Strangulation in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree.
The charges stem from an incident on May 5, 2025, when Mazariego-Figueroa, operating a taxicab, picked up a 40-year-old female passenger near 59 Route 59 in Monsey. Instead of completing the requested trip, he diverted to the area of 23 Ridge Avenue in Spring Valley, where he allegedly restrained and brutally assaulted the woman inside the vehicle. Authorities say he punched her multiple times, strangled her, bit her on the face and head, threatened her with a knife, and attempted to stab her with a screwdriver.
The victim managed to escape and call for help, while Mazariego-Figueroa fled the scene. He was later apprehended near 681 Chestnut Ridge Road in Ramapo. Subsequent investigation revealed that he was under the influence of drugs and driving with a suspended license.
The victim suffered serious injuries, including lacerations, bite wounds, and facial swelling, and was treated at a local hospital.
As reported by Monsey Scoop in its original coverage of the violent assault (story link) and subsequent arrest with the help of Chaverim of Rockland and Ramapo Police (story link), the case drew widespread attention in the community.
The investigation was led by the Spring Valley Police Department with support from the Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Mazariego-Figueroa faces a potential sentence of 5 to 25 years in state prison if convicted of the top charge.
The prosecution is being handled by Executive Assistant District Attorney Matthew Martinez and Senior Assistant District Attorney John Longo.
All charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
