Man released after allegedly spitting on four women in Williamsburg

WILLIAMSBURG — A BROOKLYN MAN accused of spitting on four women in a two-day spree in Williamsburg was released the day after his arrest, the New York Post reports, drawing criticism from some opponents of New York’s bail reform laws. Police charged Anthony Caines, 45, with aggravated harassment as a hate crime for the attacks on Nov. 11 and 12, when he allegedly spat directly into the faces of passing white women without speaking.

Caines, who has prior arrests for domestic violence and contempt of court, was granted supervised release with an ankle monitor after pleading not guilty.

Security footage helped investigators identify him as a suspect. No felony charges were filed, meaning Caines could not be held pre-trial. The Brooklyn district attorney is seeking additional victims.

“I was completely caught off guard. It was in the morning, and I was half-asleep. He came up, spit on me, and kept going, and I thought, ‘What just happened to me? Am I supposed to be okay with this and go about the rest of my day?’” one victim said.

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