A New York City (NYC) man accused of targeting four white women in a disturbing, racially charged spitting spree in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was back on the streets just one day after his arrest, The Post has learned.
Anthony Caines, who is black, was taken into custody on Nov. 13 following his alleged two-day streak of attacks. But by Nov. 14, he was released under supervision after pleading not guilty to charges that included aggravated harassment based on race or religion, according to court records.
Caines, 45, has a criminal history that includes past arrests for domestic violence and contempt of court, officials said.
One of the alleged victims, a college student who asked not to be identified, said the encounter left her shaken. “I just felt so violated,” she said. “In my face, of all places. It was crazy, honestly.”
Her attack took place at 10:05 a.m. on Nov. 11 outside 285 Broadway. According to charging documents, three more women were assaulted in similar fashion later that day and the next — all in Williamsburg. Each victim reported that Caines walked up silently, spit directly in their faces, and continued on his way.
“I was completely caught off guard,” the first victim said. “It was the morning, I was half-asleep, and he just spit on me and kept walking. I thought, ‘What just happened? Am I supposed to go on with my day like nothing occurred?’”
The second attack happened less than two hours later at Bedford Avenue and Grand Street. Hours after that, a third occurred at Marcy Avenue and South Fourth Street around 10:40 p.m. The fourth assault happened at 8 a.m. the next morning outside 186 Grand Street.
None of the incidents resulted in felony charges — a key reason Caines wasn’t held in jail.
Councilman Robert Holden (D-30) blamed the state’s bail reform laws, saying the system allows violent offenders to walk free too easily. “This is what happens when Kathy Hochul’s bail reform experiment and the religious experiments of the left let violent offenders walk free with no consequences,” he said. “Until the State Legislature reverses these disastrous policies, New Yorkers, especially women, will continue to be victimized on our streets.”
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is now urging any additional victims to come forward.
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