3 Latin Kings Members Convicted Of Jackson Heights Attack

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS — Police are hunting for a reputed Latin Kings gang member, who fled during a trial at which he and two others were convicted of beating a rival outside a Jackson Heights bar.

A jury on Wednesday found three suspected Latin Kings gang members guilty of gang assault and robbery for punching and stabbing a 24-year-old man outside the bar El Paisa on Northern Boulevard in 2016. The three men each face up to 25 years in prison.

But the NYPD's warrant squad is still looking for one of them — reputed gang leader Luis Minchala, 28 — after he ran away on the eve of closing arguments. Minchala didn't participate in the attack but had ordered the hit, prosecutors said.

Jamaica resident Michael Aragundi, Astoria resident Luis Mayancela and several more reputed gang members attacked the victim shortly after 1 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2016, stabbing him 11 times as Minchala watched, according to trial testimony.

They left the man bleeding in front of the bar, according to prosecutors, who said the victim suffered permanent nerve damage after the attack.

Two other suspected gang members, Jonathan Duy and Wilson Matute, previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder for the attack, prosecutors said.