Nassau County police arrested an alleged gang member and two other men on drug and weapon-related charges in Hempstead on Wednesday night.
Two detectives on patrol approached a large group of men who appeared to be drinking alcohol on Jackson Street when one man ran away and was pursued by an officer on foot at 8:20 p.m., police said.
(From l.) Joseph Alvarenga, Raymond Martinez
Joseph Alvarenga, 27, allegedly threw a gravity knife and seven bags of what is believed to be marijuana to the ground when running. Alvarenga, member of the Latin Kings street gang who is on parole for a prior weapons and assault conviction, was apprehended shortly later, police said. Police recovered both the knife and the marijuana.
The other detective recovered a fully-loaded .380 caliber Beretta handgun from another suspect, 18-year-old Raymond Martinez.
A third suspect, whose name was not released, was issued an appearance ticket for possession of marijuana.
The officers dismissed the rest of the men in the group.
Alvarenga and Martinez, both of Hempstead, were each charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Alvarenga was also charged with possession of marijuana. They will be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.
