Crimes Nearby: Gangster Sentenced in Drive-by Shooting

Glen Cove Gangster Sentenced in Drive-by Shooting

A Salvadorian native raised in Glen Cove has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of a rival gang member and the attempted murder of another, according to Newsday. 

Yonis Acosta-Yanes, 27, a member of the Salvadorian gang MS-13, received the maximum sentence for racketeering conspiracy on Monday in federal court.

Acosta-Yanes admitted to driving the car in the 2008 fatal drive-by shooting of rival gang member Santos Castillo-Martinez in Hempstead, according to LI News WALK Radio. Another murder plot was foiled when police stopped Acosta-Yanes and another MS-13 member in their car. 

Acosta-Yanes pleaded guilty to racketeering charges filed after police found a high-calibre handgun in the car, according to LI News.

Cops: While Driving Drunk, Plainview Man Caused Crash on Rt. 135

A Plainview man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly drove drunk and went the wrong way on the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway (Rt. 135), leading to a crash, cops said.

According to police, around 1 a.m. Saturday, John Derrico, 51, was driving his 2013 Ford southbound in the northbound lanes near exit 8 (Powell Avenue). His vehicle collided with a 2007 Volvo that was driving northbound in the center lane. Derrico's vehicle then struck the center median.

The driver of the Volvo was unharmed, cops said. 

A Highway Patrol Bureau officer responded and saw flames coming from underneath the hood of Derrico's vehicle, police said. The officer was able to remove Derrico from the car. 

After an investigation, cops determined that Derrico was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He was taken into custody and brought to a nearby hospital for medical observation. 

The Ford impounded for inspection, and cops are unsure where Derrico entered Rt. 135 from.

Derrico is charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and driving the wrong way on a one way street. His arraignment is scheduled for Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Papa John's Franchise Owner Accused of Sales Tax Theft

A Papa John’s franchise owner with chain stores in Queens has been accused of sales tax theft, the Queens district attorney said.

The defendant is the second Papa John’s franchise owner with Queens pizzerias to be arrested on the charge in recent months.

Uchenna Onuaguluchi, 46, of Rosedale, has been arrested on charges of criminal tax fraud, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing, Queens DA Richard Brown said.

If convicted, the defendant could face up to 15 years in prison.

Onuaguluchi operates six Papa John’s franchises, including one at 63-110 Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park and others in Flushing, Richmond Hill, Jamaica, the Rockaways and Brooklyn.