VIDEO: Man accused of punching cops at 2 different protests in 1 night

NEW YORK -- A protester has now been charged with punching two police officers in separate incidents during marches through New York City last Thursday.

Police say 22-year-old Yotameli Sayer was first arrested for punching an NYPD detective at a Chelsea protest.

According to the criminal complaint, Sayer punched the detective in the face with a closed fist.

He was charged in that attack, arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

Then detectives saw a video from a protest at the Manhattan Staten Island Ferry Terminal that occurred earlier in the evening. A scuffle had ensued, and police say an NYPD sergeant was sucker punched by a man who fled the scene.

Authorities reviewing the video recognized Sayer as the man who threw the punch. So when he arrived at NYPD Headquarters around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday to pick up his property, he was arrested again.

"He was cold-cocked on the side by some coward who came out of the crowd," NYPD Commissioner William Bratton said. "He's the type of character we're talking about that is taking away from the significance of these marches. He's out there just to engage in baiting the police, out there to, quite obviously, attack the police."

Sayer is awaiting arraignment on the new charges.

He is charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct in connection with the Chelsea incident. He is charged with second-degree assault and riot in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal incident.