Rifle Transfer In Jericho Home Depot Parking Lot Leads To 3 Arrested, ICE Custody: Police

JERICHO, NY — Three men were arrested on Friday afternoon in Jericho after they were found transferring rifles in a Home Depot parking lot, police said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents took custody of one man who was accused of being in the country illegally, according to police.

Observed by Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team on patrol at 3:58 p.m., the men exited their vehicles in the Home Depot parking lot on Jericho Turnpike, opened a large wooden crate, and transferred multiple rifles into their vehicles, Nassau County police said. The three men were arrested "without incident," according to police.

Upon further investigation, police said the men were also in possession of suspected cocaine, a forged Social Security card, multiple knives, three machetes, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Gilberto Rivera Lopez, 45, of New Cassel was charged with six counts of first-degree failure to safely store firearms, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, first-degree loitering, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, police said.

Rudi W. Rivera Lopez, 30, of Central Islip was charged with four counts of first-degree failure to safely store firearms, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, first-degree loitering, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Manuel Gutierrez Pineda, 33, of New Cassel was charged with four counts of first-degree failure to safely store firearms, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, first-degree loitering, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Rudi W. Rivera Lopez and Gilberto Rivera Lopez were arraigned on Saturday at First District Court and were released, police said.

Gutierrez Pineda was released on an appearance ticket, but further investigation revealed that Gutierrez Pineda was in the U.S. illegally and is subject to removal proceedings, police said.