Andres Cabrera-Sanchez, 25, did not exactly blend in at his Brentwood arraignment, arriving in a pot-leaf embroidered hoodie that read "Roll Up" after a police compliance check at a nearby restaurant led to multiple arrests. The sweep at La Costa Catracha ended with the Town of Islip fire marshal declaring the place unsafe for occupancy and the owner cited, while detectives traced alleged drug activity to a Brentwood home. Several patrons and a resident are now facing a mix of weapons and narcotics charges as the case moves through Central Islip court.
Compliance check led to arrests and closure
According to the Suffolk County Police, Third Precinct investigators, the Narcotics Section and the New York State Liquor Authority carried out a compliance check at La Costa Catracha, 739 Suffolk Ave., on Saturday that resulted in multiple arrests and field appearance tickets for the owner. The Town of Islip fire marshal and building inspector issued several summonses and deemed the restaurant unsafe for occupancy, effectively shutting it down pending further action.
Arrests and charges
Greater Long Island reports that those arrested at the restaurant and nearby home include Cabrera-Sanchez, of Bay Shore, who faces second- and third-degree weapons charges along with seventh-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Juana Flores, 47, and 18-year-old Maykol Escobar-Rivas were charged with third-degree criminal sale, and 18-year-old Christian Palacios-Ruiz received a desk appearance ticket for seventh-degree possession. Detectives say the probe led them to a Brentwood residence at 210 Broadway, where officers executed a search warrant and arrested 27-year-old Josua Molina on multiple drug counts and an endangering-the-welfare-of-a-child charge.
Arraignment drew attention
At his arraignment, Cabrera-Sanchez reportedly turned heads by wearing the pot-leaf hoodie emblazoned with the words "Roll Up," a detail first reported by the New York Post. Suffolk County Police say he is being held at the Third Precinct and was scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday, according to their release.
Legal notes
Charges in the case range from seventh-degree drug counts to second-degree weapons allegations, and the defendants will move through arraignments, potential bail hearings and, if prosecutors file indictments, grand-jury proceedings in the months ahead. Under New York law, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, a foundational principle reflected in state court rulings and practice. Court filings and the district attorney’s office will determine the next formal steps in the investigation.
