Two men turned over to ICE after police seize rifles, machetes and ammunition in Jericho Home Depot parking lot
Nassau police released information on Sunday that officers on routine patrol saw three men in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Jericho Turnpike unloading a large wooden crate and transferring multiple rifles into their vehicles.
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Police recovered rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition, three machetes, knives and suspected cocaine in Jericho on Friday.
Officials say officers also found a forged Social Security card.
Nassau police released information on Sunday that officers on routine patrol saw three men in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Jericho Turnpike unloading a large wooden crate and transferring multiple rifles into their vehicles.
"It's just crazy to do something like that in front of people. It's almost like they wanted to be caught," said Westbury resident Stephen Mentovay. "It's usually a pretty tame area."
Following an investigation, police arrested all three men.
Authorities said two of the suspects were later turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after investigators determined they had entered the country illegally.
"As a citizen of Nassau County, I am concerned," said Manhasset resident Kevin Driscoll, who was shopping at the Home Depot Sunday morning. "I'm glad to hear we have apprehended the people and they are being processed."
Gilberto Rivera Lopez, of New Cassel, is charged with six counts of failure to safely store firearms, criminal possession of a controlled substance, loitering, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument.
Rudi W. Rivera Lopez, of Central Islip, is charged with four counts of failure to safely store firearms, criminal possession of a controlled substance, loitering and criminal possession of a weapon.
Manuel Gutierrez Pineda, of New Cassel, is charged with four counts of failure to safely store firearms, criminal possession of a controlled substance, loitering and criminal possession of a weapon.
Police said Pineda was released on an appearance ticket, while both Rivera Lopezes were transferred to ICE custody and are subject to removal proceedings.
