5 LI Gang Members, 2 Underage, Arrested On Gun Charges: Police

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Five alleged gang members, two of whom are juveniles, were arrested on weapon charges Tuesday night after a traffic stop in Hempstead.

According to police, the Gun Suppression Team was on patrol at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday when they saw a 2007 Toyota commit multiple traffic violations. The driver — Alex Velasquez, 20, of Dartmouth Street, Hempstead — was stopped by the officers on Fulton Avenue, police said.

Police say the officers found marijuana and a loaded .45 caliber handgun in the glove box. In addition to Velasquez, police also arrested passengers Kevin Euceda, 20, of Belmont Parkway, Hempstead; Noel Vasquez, 22, of James LL Burell Avenue, Hempstead; a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old. Police say all five are members of the 18th Street gang.

Velasquez is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and multiple driving infractions. The other four were all charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. They are all scheduled to be arraigned today in First District Court in Hempstead.