The Eighth Squad reports the arrest of three males for Criminal Possession of a Firearm that occurred in Bethpage.
According to Detectives, CIRRT (Critical Incident Rapid Response Team) Officers initiated an investigation in the parking lot of 432 N Wantagh Avenue. During the course of the investigation, Officers observed three occupants inside a parked white 2010 Ford Focus and approached the vehicle.
Upon officer’s approach, they observed an expandable baton in the vehicle. For Officers safety, all three men were removed from the vehicle at which point Police observed a black and silver 9MM handgun inside the vehicle.
Defendants Connor Welsh, 22, of 102 Morris Drive, East Meadow, Mathew Hartenstein, 23, of 9507 Kings Highway, Brooklyn and Joshua Portillo, 22, of 78 Pengon Circle East Meadow were all placed under arrest without incident.
Defendant Welsh is charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree.
Defendant Hartenstein is charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degreen and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree.
Defendant Portillo is charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree.
They were arraigned at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.