Three men were arrested early Tuesday morning after Suffolk County police discovered Molotov cocktails inside a vehicle during a traffic stop in Central Islip.
According to police, Third Precinct officers observed a 2008 Honda Accord being driven erratically on Lexington Avenue near Calebs Path at approximately 2:28 a.m. on March 10. Officers conducted a traffic stop and observed two glass bottles filled with gasoline with gasoline-soaked rags protruding from the tops inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Emergency Service officers responded to the scene and safely disarmed the devices.
Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives along with Arson and Criminal Intelligence detectives, authorities determined the incident was not related to terrorism.
Three men were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Those charged include Lorenzo Alvarado-Navarrete, 18, of Bay Shore; Elvis Romero-Martinez, 20, of Brentwood; and Albert Yanes-Moran, 20, of Brentwood.
Police said Romero-Martinez, who was operating the vehicle, was also issued multiple traffic summonses.
All three suspects were held overnight at the Third Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 11.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
