Molotov Cocktails Found In Car At Traffic Stop; 3 Arrested In Central Islip: Police

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Three men were arrested early Tuesday after Suffolk County police discovered Molotov cocktails during a traffic stop in Central Islip, police said.

Third Precinct officers observed a 2008 Honda Accord being operated erratically on Lexington Avenue near Calebs Path at around 2:28 a.m. Tuesday, according to Suffolk County police.

Officers conducted a traffic stop and observed two glass bottles filled with gasoline with gasoline-soaked rags protruding from the tops in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, police said.

A Molotov cocktail is an improvised incendiary weapon, which generally consists of a breakable glass container filled with flammable substances and equipped with a fuse or wick to ignite the contents upon impact.

Emergency Service Section officers responded to the scene and disarmed the devices.

Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives, along with Arson and Criminal Intelligence detectives, authorities determined the incident was not terrorism-related, police said.

Police arrested Lorenzo Alvarado-Navarrete, 18, of Bay Shore, Elvis Romero-Martinez, 20, of Brentwood, and Albert Yanes-Moran, 20, of Brentwood.

The three men were charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Romero-Martinez, who was operating the vehicle, was also issued multiple traffic summonses, police said.

The men were held overnight at the Third Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip.