Eight migrants were arrested in a Bronx apartment in New York City after police responded to a report of a person displaying a gun. The incident led to the discovery of drugs and weapons in the basement of the apartment.
Upon arrival, the police found a man pointing a gun at someone in the driveway of the apartment. The suspect fled into the building's basement but was chased down and identified as Hector Desousa-Villalta, 24, of Venezuela, who had a previous arrest for attempted murder.
Another man, Javier Alborno, 22, also from Venezuela, was caught trying to leave the basement with a handgun. A search of the basement revealed two additional guns, a 'ghost gun,' three extended magazines, ammunition, ketamine, and cocaine.
Police also found a 7-year-old child inside the apartment, although it is unclear who the child's parents are. The suspects, mostly from South America, were squatting in the house.
Neighbors reported seeing multiple motorcycles and a large number of young people frequenting the property. The landlord had moved to evict the tenants after their lease ended in October.
Eight individuals, including one woman, were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and acting in a manner injurious to a child. Despite requests for bail by the Bronx District Attorney's Office, some suspects were released without bail.
Desousa-Villalta, involved in an attempted murder case last year, was released without bail, while Alborno, indicted for possession of a loaded gun, remained in custody. Vaamondes-Barrios, wanted for retail theft in New York and Pennsylvania, is also being held.
The remaining six suspects were released without bail, despite requests by the Bronx DA. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
