Full Notification

Suffolk County Police arrested nine people and recovered five illegal handguns during three different incidents in the Third Precinct today.
 
“In less than 24 hours, Third Precinct officers and Third Squad detectives in three separate incidents made nine arrests, and seized five illegal guns from people who had no right possessing the weapons,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said.  “Because of the tireless efforts of the officers and detectives, a violent act or acts may have been prevented.”
 
The first instance occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. in Brightwaters. Police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the vicinity of Orinoco Drive. Responding officers spotted a car leaving the area and initiated a traffic stop. After a brief foot pursuit, officers arrested four people and two loaded handguns were recovered. 
 
Michael Salanitri, 18 of 1243 6^th Street, West Babylon was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4^th Degree. Jeremy Rivera, 21, of 1514 9^th Street, West Babylon, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4^th Degree. Tyleek Fields, 18, of 109 Justice Street, West Babylon, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4^th degree. Noel Vanparys, 18, of 227 Kellum Street, West Babylon, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree.
 
The second instance occurred at approximately 5:50 a.m. in Bay Shore when Suffolk County Police arrested two people and seized drugs and weapons following the execution of a search warrant at a residence.
 
A press release was issued earlier today about the incident that information follows below:
 
Following an investigation, Third Squad Special Operations Team (SOT) detectives, with the assistance of Narcotics Section detectives and Third Precinct Crime Section officers and Emergency Service Section officers, executed a search warrant at 322 Atlantic Ave. at 5:50 a.m. Two loaded handguns, a 12-gauge shotgun, 50 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of MDMA, a quantity of Xanax and steroids, a bulletproof vest, ammunition, assorted Latin Kings items and drug paraphernalia.
 
Kevin Cuevas, 29, a resident of the home, was charged with three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3^rd Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th Degree, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2^nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Cuevas’ girlfriend, Jaysha Pastrana, 36, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The couple’s four children were inside the residence.
 
A third instance occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. during a traffic stop at 239 Cone Avenue, Central Islip. After observing a car with illegally tinted windows, patrol officers initiated a traffic stop. After an investigation by the officers, and a search of the car, a loaded handgun was recovered. The three occupants of the car were arrested.

Jhonata Garcia Gomez, 22, of 28 Cordello Avenue, Central Islip was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree. Kyle Daly, 22, of 12 Leaf Avenue, Central Islip, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree. Jiovanni Trujillo, 21, of 239 Cone Avenue, Central Islip, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd Degree.
 
 
 
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.