5 arrested during gang takedown in Hempstead
MINEOLA, Long Island (WABC) -- Five people were arrested during what police said was a gang-related takedown in Hempstead on Tuesday.
Officials said it was part of a larger law enforcement operation that has led to dozens of arrests across Nassau County since last week.
Authorities executed a search warrant on a Hempstead home just after 8 a.m., during what police described as a targeted gang takedown. Police said three of the five people arrested are alleged members of the Bloods gang.
According to police, the raid was part of a broader operation that has resulted in 35 arrests since last Wednesday. Of those, 15 are alleged gang members.
"This morning we conducted a simultaneous search warrant on the same road in Hempstead, this was subsequent to a months long investigation," said Lt. Nicholas Zaharis, the commanding officer of the Nassau County Police Department's Bureau of Special Operations.
Authorities displayed guns, drugs and other illegal paraphernalia at police headquarters on Tuesday, which they said were seized during three separate gang raids.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder detailed the alleged gang affiliations.
"The breakdown of the gang members are nine Bloods, two Crips, three MS-13, one Zoe Pound - which is a Haitian gang," Ryder said.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said authorities have seen increased gang activity in the metropolitan area and promised an aggressive response.
"We are going to come after you with every asset we have, we are not going to tolerate lawlessness," Blakeman said.
Police said some of the suspects are accused of crimes including attempted murder and assault. Investigators said four girls allegedly gouged someone's eye out during one of the incidents.
Authorities stressed that the arrests are not connected to the fatal shooting at Eisenhower Park.
"Wednesday night was a one-off, that came from outside of here, Suffolk County and the city -- they came here and chose Eisenhower Park - that will never happen again," Ryder said.
Police have increased their presence at Eisenhower Park, including the use of mounted officers. Ryder said authorities expect another major gang takedown in the next three to four weeks.
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