Crime

The 17-year-old is accused of two other stabbings, including one on this past Sunday, court documents show.

A 17-year-old was arrested Thursday in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Worcester man in Times Square in New York City Monday night, authorities said. 

Jayden Sanchez faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and court documents. 

The victim, identified Wednesday as 39-year-old Leonides Baez, was from Worcester and had an address on Main Street, according to a statement from a spokesperson for the NYC Deputy Commissioner Public Information. 

The stabbing occurred around 11:30 p.m. Monday at 132 West 43 St., in front of Burger & Lobster Bryant Park and next door to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, a spokesperson for the New York City Deputy Commissioner Public Information said in a statement.

Baez suffered stab wounds to his torso and back, along with a slash wound to his face, the DCPI spokesperson said. He was pronounced dead shortly after at a nearby hospital. 

According to the criminal complaint, detectives reviewed video footage showing a man with a long afro hairstyle — allegedly Sanchez — and two others approaching Baez, who was sleeping. Sanchez allegedly pulled an object from his vest pocket, chased Baez, and then grabbed and stabbed him.

Detectives linked the description of the man who stabbed Baez to Sanchez, based on a school safety officer who had interacted with Sanchez “numerous times” at Manhattan High School over the past two years, the criminal complaint states.

Sanchez is also accused of two other stabbing incidents in New York City: one in April and another that took place this past Sunday.