D.A. Bragg: Man Who Placed False Bomb By NYPD Times Square Station Indicted

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of DESEAN MARYAT, 26, for allegedly placing an imitation pipe bomb in front of the NYPD substation at Times Square in August 2025, leading to the evacuation of the major tourist destination and commercial hub for more than an hour. MARYAT is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Placing a False Bomb or Hazardous Substance in the First Degree and Making a Threat of Mass Harm.^[1]

"As alleged, Desean Maryat placed an imitation pipe bomb that forced police to clear the Crossroads of the World for more than an hour on a busy Monday morning," said District Attorney Bragg. "He specifically chose to target the door of the NYPD's Times Square substation, grinding officers' movements to a halt. Thankfully, the NYPD's Bomb Squad responded and moved efficiently to ensure everyone's safety and allow visitors and commuters alike to return to Times Square."

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, at approximately 10:20 a.m. on August 18, 2025, MARYAT placed a cylindrical object wrapped in cardboard and secured with paper and tape in a manner designed to imitate a pipe bomb in front of the NYPD substation at Times Square. He propped the imitation bomb against the exterior double doors, and no one could enter or leave the NYPD substation without tipping the object over and fearing a possible explosion. The NYPD's Bomb Rescue Squad responded, and police shut down West 42^nd Street to West 44^th Street between Broadway and 7^th Avenue to pedestrian and vehicular traffic for more than an hour. Police determined the object was inoperable, and MARYAT was arrested after returning to the scene approximately four hours later.

Assistant D.A. Kirstyn Watson is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Nicole Blumberg (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

District Attorney Bragg thanked the NYPD, in particular the Counterterrorism Bureau's Bomb Squad.

Defendant Information

DESEAN MARYAT

Bronx, NY

Charges:

• Placing a False Bomb or Hazardous Substance in the First Degree, a class D felony, 1 count
• Making a Threat of Mass Harm, a class B misdemeanor, 1 count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.