Police: Three Gang Members Arrested in Southold Shootings

Southold Police arrested three members of the MS-13 street gang in connection with shootings that occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 14 on South Harbor Road and State Route 25 in Southold.

A responding officer spotted Pedro Santamaria, 31 of Greenport and Jeremias Recinos Torres, 19 of Aquebogue, in a parked vehicle a short distance from the scene of the shooting and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun was discovered in the vehicle. During the subsequent investigation, it was learned that Walter Vasquez, 17 of Greenport, was also involved.

Vasquez was arrested at Greenport High School where he is a student. The victims remain hospitalized in Peconic Bay Medical Center. It appears that this incident stems from a dispute between some of the defendants and the victims that occurred at the 3rd Street Park in Greenport on the night of Friday, Oct.10.

According to police, it is believed that the victims are members of Mara-18 or 18th Street, a rival street gang. The victims were spotted by the MS-13 members as they walked along the raodway on Route 25 and South Harbor Road where they both lived. The MS-13 members then ambushed the victims.

As many as 5 shots were fired from a .22 caliber handgun and one of the victims was attacked with a machete.

Santamaria and Recinos Torres were charged with assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Vasquez was charged with assault in the first degree.

Additionally, it was learned that Vasques and Recinos Torres are in the United States illegally and are currently in removal proceedings.

All three suspects were arraigned in Southold Justice Court. Judge Rudolph Bruer set bail at $250,00 cash for each of the defendants. The defendants are due back in Southold Court on Friday, Oct. 17.

This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.