An NYPD officer who was stabbed and slashed seven times by a brazen pair of Bronx thugs last week, told The Post he’s on the mend after being released from the hospital Monday evening.
Det. Jose Mercedes said “I’m feeling much better, thank you,” when reached by The Post on the phone Saturday.
The off-duty detective — a 10-year veteran with the NYPD — was ambushed in broad daylight by an e-bike-riding duo who tried to snatch the cop’s gold chain while he was cleaning out the trunk of his car in Norwood on Oct. 2, officials and sources said.
Mercedes, 33, assigned to the 44th Precinct, put up a fight and tried to defend himself from the crooks.
The brutes knifed the detective at least seven times in the neck and leg before ripping the chain from his neck and fleeing the scene on a motorized bike, according to sources and cops.
Terrifying footage obtained by The Post showed Mercedes covered in blood being loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher after the brutal melee.
Mercedes was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center and was released several days later.
The wounded cop was all smiles as he was wheeled out of the hospital in Morris Park on Monday evening to salutes and rapturous applause from dozens of fellow Finest as bagpipes played in celebration of his release.
A beaming Mercedes stood up from his wheelchair and flashed a thumbs-up to the crowd of cops that gathered in support.
Police identified the alleged attackers on Tuesday who were caught on surveillance footage speeding away from the scene.
The accused slasher was identified as 25-year-old D’Angelo Caraballo, while the suspect behind the wheel of the bike was ID’d as Sneider Mejia, 24.
Both suspects — identified by the feds as illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic — were found by the US Marshals Service hiding in a basement of a home in Lynn, Massachusetts and taken into custody, the NYPD said Wednesday.
They will be brought back to New York City to face attempted murder charges, according to the NYPD.
The brazen duo were ordered held without bail during their joint appearance in Lynn District Court Wednesday.
