Molotov Cocktail Firebomb Plot Leads To Indictment Of 4 Men In Suffolk: DA

BRENTWOOD, NY — Four men were indicted in connection with a plot to firebomb a vehicle with Molotov cocktails in Brentwood, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Elvis Osvaldo Romero Martinez, 20, Albert Yanes Moran, 20, Lorenzo Nohely Alvarado Navarette, 18, and Lester Merino Avila, 18, were indicted on conspiracy charges after prosecutors said they possessed two Molotov cocktails and conspired to use them to firebomb a vehicle.

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According to the investigation, between March 9 and March 10, the men acquired materials to make homemade Molotov cocktails and planned to use them to firebomb a vehicle belonging to someone one of the men had a dispute with, DA said.

In the early morning hours of March 10, the men met near Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Brentwood, where they prepared Molotov cocktails using beer bottles and gasoline, prosecutors said.

Merino Avila drove to Lexington Avenue in Brentwood with another person to locate the intended target of the firebombing, while Romero Martinez, Yanes Moran and Alvarado Navarette followed in a separate car, prosecutors said.

At about 1:38 a.m., a Suffolk County police officer conducted a car stop near Lexington Avenue and Caleb’s Path in Brentwood, the DA said.

Romero Martinez, who was driving, jumped from the driver’s seat into the backseat, prosecutors said. When the officer spoke with the people inside the vehicle, he saw two Molotov cocktails in the rear driver ’s-side door and a canister of gasoline, DA said.

A further search of the vehicle uncovered a mask and lighter inside a bag that belonged to Yanes Moran, prosecutors said.

Investigators also searched cell phones recovered from several defendants and found conversations about planning the firebombing and acquiring materials for it, the DA said.

Romero Martinez, Alvarado Navarette and Yanes Moran were arraigned Tuesday before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz on one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D felony, and one count of fifth-degree conspiracy, a Class A misdemeanor, DA said.

Merino Avila was arraigned on Wednesday on one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony, and one count of fifth-degree conspiracy, a Class A misdemeanor, prosecutors said.

All four men were released after arraignment because the charges are not bail-eligible under current New York law, DA said.

Romero Martinez, Yanes Moran and Merino Avila are due back in court on June 17. Alvarado Navarette is due back in court on June 18.

Romero Martinez, Yanes Moran and Alvarado Navarette face up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top charge, prosecutors said.

Merino Avila faces up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted of the top charge of conspiracy in the fourth degree, DA said.

Tierney said prosecutors could not ask for the defendants to be held on bail despite the allegations due to New York’s bail law, which eliminates cash bail for most misdemeanor and nonviolent felony charges.

For these offenses, judges must release individuals on their own recognizance or with non-monetary conditions, while cash bail remains an option for most violent felonies and serious offenses.

Romero Martinez and Yanes Moran are Salvadoran nationals, Alvarado Navarette is a Salvadoran national and lawful permanent resident, and Merino Avila is a Honduran national, prosecutors said.

Defense attorney information was not immediately available.

“Here is yet again another example of how New York State’s failed ‘bail reform’ statute does not protect the public and defies common sense,” Tierney said. “These four defendants were indicted for conspiring to firebomb a vehicle, and my prosecutors cannot even request that they be held on bail. What’s worse is that all four defendants have ties outside the

United States, making them tremendous flight risks.”