Molotov cocktails seen in car during traffic stop in Central Islip, 3 men arrested, Suffolk police say

A traffic stop on a car being "operated erratically" early Tuesday in Central Islip led to the arrest of three people for possession of two Molotov cocktail-style incendiary devices, Suffolk County police said.

Police said the stop of the 2008 Honda Accord by Third Precinct patrol officers occurred on Lexington Avenue near Calebs Path at 2:28 a.m.

During the stop, police said, the officers "observed two glass bottles filled with gasoline with gasoline-soaked rags protruding" from the tops of the bottles.

Police said the subsequent investigation by Third Squad, Arson and Criminal Intelligence detectives determined the devices were "non-terrorism related," police said. Police said investigators believed the trio planned to use the gas-bombs to cause property damage as part of an ongoing dispute.

The cocktail mixes were diffused by responding Emergency Services officers, police said.

Police identified the three men arrested as Lorenzo Alvarado-Navarrete, 18, of Bay Shore; Elvis Romero-Martinez, 20, of Brentwood; and Albert Yanes-Moran, 20, of Brentwood. All were charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, while the driver, Romero-Martinez, also was issued multiple traffic summonses, police said.

The trio will be arraigned Wednesday in First District Court in Central Islip. It was not immediately clear if any of the men are represented by counsel.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.