Guatemalan Immigrant Arrested in Long Island Arson Case

A Guatemalan immigrant, believed to be behind a year-long arson spree on Long Island, was released due to the state’s bail reform law but was quickly handed over to ICE in an effort to keep him incarcerated, according to police and local authorities.

The individual, identified as elder Lopez Avalos, 27, was taken by federal immigration officials on Tuesday after a judge ordered his release on a non-bailable charge following his arrest for initiating a series of car fires in Freeport, including one incident in a municipal parking lot late Sunday night.

After the arrest on Sunday, ICE detained Avalos, and in coordination with local law enforcement, he was transferred to police custody on Tuesday morning.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly criticized New York’s bail reform law during a press conference, stating, “The fact that we have to jump through these extra hoops indicates that these reform laws aren’t functioning effectively.” She added, “You’re handcuffing law enforcement.”

Nassau Police Chief Patrick Ryder expressed his support for revising the state’s controversial bail policy, emphasizing that his department collaborates with federal agencies to ensure that criminal immigrants are placed in federal custody.

Ryder remarked, “When someone is arrested, we check the New York State database to see if there’s a detainer or if they’re in judicial custody. My responsibility is to hand you over to ICE, plain and simple. Just don’t get arrested, and you won’t be sent to Nassau County.”

Avalos, a resident of Baldwin, was taken into custody after firefighters responded to a fire involving four parked cars around 1:30 a.m. in Municipal Parking Lot 1 on Smith Street. Police linked him to previous car fires from early June and even suspected him of starting other outdoor fires along Nassau’s south coast.

Officials noted the danger of his actions, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasizing, “Setting a vehicle ablaze with 20 or 30 gallons of gasoline is akin to creating a bomb. These kinds of incidents could lead to significant tragedy, endangering innocent lives. People who commit multiple arsons are dangerous, and we need to take action against them.”

Authorities reported that Avalos crafted an “improvised incendiary device” using his torn T-shirt, which he stuffed into a gas cap and lit, causing damages exceeding $1 million.

He faces multiple charges, including 11 counts of arson, one count of reckless endangerment, and one count of criminal mischief. However, due to the bail reform law categorizing arson as a non-bailable offense, the judge had to release him after his arraignment.

Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Mike Uttaro noted, “Putting volunteer firefighters and county residents at risk should, at the very least, result in jail time.”

After admitting to illegally entering the U.S. from Guatemala via Texas, Avalos was reportedly taken to Westchester County before eventually living with his brother in Freeport.

Although Avalos was taken into custody again and transferred to ICE, local authorities indicated he would be held in federal custody awaiting trial, despite the bail reform regulations.

Donnelly stated that ICE would comply with the county’s request not to deport Avalos before the trial and would only proceed with removal if he’s convicted and completes his sentence.

“This defendant is accused of wreaking havoc in our communities along the Nassau County south shore,” she stressed. “We will keep looking for ways to address this issue.”

ICE has not yet responded to requests for comment.