3 arrested in killing of Michael David Grajeda Suazo knew him, Hempstead police say

Hempstead police believe the three people arrested on Friday in the June killing of Michael David Grajeda Suazo knew the 18-year-old before he was killed, officials said on Tuesday.

Hempstead Police Chief Richard Holland said the homicide was gang-related. But investigators do not know whether Suazo was a gang member and they've not yet identified a motive, he said.

"The day of the incident, the victim was beaten and severely kicked by all three subjects and stabbed by one of the individuals," Holland told reporters at a news briefing at Hempstead Village Police Headquarters. The individual alleged to have stabbed Suazo is Denis Gonzalez Sorto, 21, he added.

Sorto and Isaac Lopez Alvarez, 20, of Hempstead, were arrested on Friday around 4:50 p.m. without incident, according to Holland. Also arrested was a 17-year-old, whom police are not naming because of his age. All three individuals were charged with second-degree murder.

Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. said investigators used technology that significantly aided them in identifying and apprehending the suspects.

"We have license plate readers. We have cameras throughout the Village of Hempstead and we also have a drone. And our drone has been instrumental in surveillance and tracking down, not only in this incident but other crimes that happened in the Village of Hempstead, so it’s utilizing all that technology," Hobbs told reporters on Tuesday.

The three suspects were arraigned on Saturday in the First District Court in Hempstead. Sorto and Alvarez pleaded not guilty and were held without bail, records show.

All three suspects were in the United States illegally, Det. Lt. George Darienzo, commanding officer of the Nassau County Police homicide squad, told reporters on Saturday.

"Friday’s arrest sends a clear message: If you commit a violent crime in the Village of Hempstead, we will find you. We will arrest you, and bring you to justice. You cannot hide. You cannot outrun our investigators, and you cannot outrun our technology," Holland said.

Detectives previously told reporters that Suazo was walking on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead with two 13-year-olds when he was approached by three people wearing masks. After two 911 calls, Suazo was found bleeding in the street around 9:30 p.m. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.