DA: 3rd arrest in Hempstead Lake State Park machete attack

A suspected MS-13 gang member has been charged with attempted murder as the last of three suspects to be captured in the May machete attack that injured three students at Hempstead Lake State Park, authorities said.

Cesar David Avila-Rodriguez, 17, of Hempstead, was arraigned Saturday on three counts of second-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree assault, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to a spokeswoman for the Nassau County district attorney’s office.

He was held without bail and represented by Legal Aid, which has a policy of not commenting on cases.

Avila-Rodriguez and two other suspected MS-13 members chased and attacked four teenagers as they walked along a trail May 23, state parks police said. The three victims, all students at Hempstead High School, were stabbed, police said. The fourth victim was not injured, police said.

Avila-Rodriguez was picked up by Nassau County detectives Friday and turned over to New York State Park Police, according a source. He is due back in court Tuesday.

In June, authorities arrested Evilson E. Orellana, 18, and Francisco Romero, 17, both of Hempstead, in connection with the attack. Each is charged with attempted murder and assault and is due back in court on Nov. 17, according to court records.