Anderson Ramirez, of Central Islip, and Alex R. DeLarosa, of Bay Shore, charged in September homicide of former Amityville man

Nassau police have charged two men, and are seeking a third in connection with the September killing of a man found dead from a gunshot wound in Wantagh.

Nassau police said Anderson Ramirez, 34, of Central Islip, and Alex R. DeLarosa, 27, of Bay Shore, were each charged Wednesday with second-degree murder and second-degree robbery in the death of Yinauri Taveras, 32.

In a statement Thursday, state Deputy Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) said DeLarosa is his stepson.

"We pray for the family of the victim, as we seek God's guidance and comfort during this tragic time," Ramos said in the statement, provided by his office. "The news has left our family deeply shaken, and as parents, we feel immense pain upon hearing such horrific news. Like all parents, we love our son deeply. If he is found guilty, he will be held accountable for his actions."

The police said they were looking for a third person, identified as Johnny "Flaco" Rodriguez, in connection with the homicide.

At a press briefing Thursday, Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, commanding officer of the Nassau County Homicide Squad, said Taveras had previous disputes with at least five individuals, including DeLarosa, Ramirez and Rodriguez.

Fitzpatrick said Taveras, a former Amityville resident, had purchased items from the group but "didn't give them the adequate amount" of payment. Fitzpatrick did not disclose the items, but nothing in the investigation found the disputes to be drug related, he said.

The probe also determined the homicide was not gang related, he said.

DeLarosa and Ramirez each pleaded not guilty Thursday at their arraignments in Nassau District Court and were both ordered held without bail, according to court records. Nicholas Dayan, a Queens-based attorney representing DeLarosa, said his client maintains his innocence.

“It's a very sad situation for the victim's family, but it's also a sad situation for Alex's family and Alex that he's wrapped up in all of this,” Dayan said. “And once the prosecution starts sharing discovery with us, they're going to have the burden to prove that he was involved and that he committed this murder.”

An attorney for Ramirez listed in court records was not immediately available for comment late Thursday.

Taveras was visiting family on Long Island from Puerto Rico in September when five people, including Ramirez and DeLarosa, spotted him in Bay Shore and followed him in a car as he drove away, police said.

About 10:45 p.m. on Sept. 10, the five suspects "purposely" caused an accident by rear-ending Taveras’ car near the Southern State Parkway exit ramp to Wantagh Avenue.

Taveras pulled over on Wayside Lane. When he left the vehicle, the suspects attempted to rob him, then shot him, Fitzpatrick said. Police found Taveras’ body on the side of the road early on Sept. 11.

Fitzpatrick did not disclose the other two suspects' identities.

Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-8477.