Cop shooting suspects charged

(New York - WABC, July 12, 2007) (WABC) -- A multi-state manhunt is over. Two more suspects are now charged with opening fire on two NYPD officers Monday.

Eyewitness News was first to tell you about the capture of Robert Ellis and Dexter Bostick in Pennsylvania -- and to bring you the live pictures of their return to New York City.

Eyewitness News reporter Jen Maxfield is at the 71st Precinct with the story.

The two remaining suspects were taken from their alleged hide out in rural Pennsylvania back to this precinct where they have been charged with, according to police sources, attempted murder of a police officer, assault of a police officer with a deadly weapon, hindering prosecution and criminal possession of a weapon.

After three long days running from the law, the men still wanted in the shooting of two young NYPD officers returned to Brooklyn Thursday night.

Thirty four-year-old Dexter Bostick had his wrists shackled with the handcuffs of officer Herman Yan, who escaped serious injury Monday morning because of his bulletproof vest.

The other suspect, 34-year-old Robert Ellis, was in handcuffs issued to officer Russel Timoshenko, who remains in grave condition.

The wounded officers are both from the 71st Precinct, and on Thursday night dozens of fellow officers stood shoulder to shoulder in a blue wall of stoney silence as the two suspects were led inside.

Late Thursday night the suspects were led out of the precinct to go to criminal court where they will be arraigned on Friday morning.

Investigators say Bostick and Ellis fled Brooklyn in the hours following the shooting and convinced a friend with a car to drive them to the Poconos. It was there in the wooded areas along Route 80 that the two men apparently lived on tuna, crackers and peanut butter until police caught up to them.

Bostick was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Ellis on Thursday morning when he was found hiding in a leaf pile. Police say they captured the suspect with the help of the man who dropped them off, who is apparently the brother of an NYPD officer and had no idea the two men were fugitives.

"It's going to be a tremendous relief to everybody that was involved," Murtin said. "And in addition to that, I'm sure it'll be a tremendous relief to people back in New York City, especially the families of the officers shot."

The two men will appear in Brooklyn Criminal Court Friday morning.

Condition of Officer Timoshenko

Our coverage continues with Eyewitness News reporter Jeff Rossen, who has the latest on Officer Timoshenko's condition from East Flatbush.

An around-the-clock vigil for this fallen officer continues Thursday. Timoshenko remains in grave condition, still on life support.

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly visited again today. He has been at the hospital every day since the shooting.

"The condition of Officer Timoshenko has not changed," Kelly said. "The swelling has gone down somewhat in his face, but in essence, he remains in the same condition that he was in when he arrived here at the hospital. And that is extremely grave."

Kelly said he hoped to see progress in Timoshenko's condition, but we are told it has not improved much. Kelly says he has been praying with the family and does not discount miracles.

Friends, relatives and other police officers have been streaming in to King's County Hospital at all hours of the day and night. Unfortunately, they say hope is dwindling with each day that passes without progress.

Last night, the family called in a Russian Orthodox priest to conduct what is called a "deaf and blind confession" at the officer's bedside. It is a prayer for people who are unresponsive. At this point, relatives are just holding on.

Mayor Bloomberg released the following statement:

"On behalf of every New Yorker, I want to commend the excellent work of New York's Finest that resulted this morning in the capture of the fugitive third suspect in the shooting of NYPD Officers Russel Timoshenko and Herman Yan. I also want to express our deep gratitude and thanks to the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the local Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies that worked so closely with the NYPD, and I especially want to thank the extraordinary individuals whose tips helped lead to these captures. I continue to ask all New Yorkers to pray for Officer Timoshenko, who remains in critical condition. I hope the fact that the suspects are now in custody and on their way to facing justice in New York City will provide some small measure of relief to the Timoshenko family during this terribly difficult time."

New York City PBA president Patrick Lynch expressed gratitude for the capture of the police shooters and called for the death penalty for the suspects.

"I would like to express the deepest gratitude of all New York City police officers to all of the law enforcement officers who participated in the search for and capture of the shooters of our brother officers Yan and Timoshenko," Lynch said. "Let it be known by all of those who think nothing of attacking an officer of the law, that if you attack one of us anywhere in this country, you attack all of us, and that we will band together and work tirelessly to bring you to justice."

Lee Woods arraigned

Meanwhile, the first suspect taken into custody, Lee Woods, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

Woods was charged with: