MS-13 gang members arrested for attack on Long Island

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Two Long Island teenagers who were arrested in the stabbing of a high school student are in the country illegally but were released from ICE custody by federal judges, according to authorities.

Ramon Arevalo Lopez, 19, of Huntington Station; Nobeli Montes Zuniga, 20, of Huntington Station; and Oscar Canales Molina, 17, of Huntington Station, are facing felony assault charges in connection with the incident.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, a group of teenagers were in the Burger King located at 837 New York Ave. in Huntington Station, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

The gang members starting staring them in "a menacing way" so they decided to leave the restaurant.  The thugs followed them out and started attacking them with baseball bats and knives.

"What we know about MS-13 is that they use violence to – in their minds – ensure that they are given respect," District Attorney Timothy D. Sini said. "Certainly this type of incident fits within the modus operandi of MS-13, which is essentially random and seemingly senseless acts of violence."

During the attack, Lopez allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old boy in his back with a knife. The victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses saw the three MS-13 members take off in a black 2007 Toyota Scion with a large spoiler on the rear of the vehicle.

Suffolk County Police officers found and stopped the vehicle at approximately 3:30 p.m. Police say the three were found with blood on their clothing and hands as well as on the vehicle.

Authorities say that two knives were found on Molina, including a small blood-covered knife.

The three were arraigned and bail was set for each defendant at $35,000 cash or $75,000 bond. They are due back in court on Jan. 15.

Lopez had been detained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Oct. 24, 2017, but was ordered released from custody by a federal District Court judge on June 12, 2018.

Molina was detained by ICE on July 24, 2017, but was released from custody by a federal judge on Nov. 28, 2017.