April 1, 1999

YONKERS MAN CONVICTED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the conviction of a Yonkers man in the drive-by shooting almost two years ago of a Corona resident.

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Jose Arevalo, 20, of 7 Jane Street, Yonkers, New York. He was convicted of attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a 9 day trial before Supreme Court Justice Roberta L. Dunlop. Justice Dunlop will impose sentence on April 21, 1999. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 12½ to 25 years.

According to the testimony at trial, on the evening of June 19, 1997, the defendant and another individual, drove past 162nd Street and 45th Avenue and asked a man standing on the corner if he were a member of the "Ñetas," a Latino gang. The man denied membership in that gang and the defendant threatened him with death if he found out he was lying. Four hours later, at 11:15pm, the defendant returned to the same street corner and, rolling down the tinted window of the car, called to Alfredo Benetiz, saying in Spanish, "Today you die." Mr. Benetiz turning, saw a gun at point blank range, reached out and struck at the gun. The bullet was deflected into Mr. Benetiz's leg, puncturing the femoral artery. Quick action by bystanders and the police saved Mr. Benitez who was bleeding profusely.

District Attorney Brown said, "Arevalo's conviction removes a dangerous and violent predator from our streets. We will seek the maximum sentence allowed by law."

The defendant was arrested on July 21, 1997.

Assistant District Attorney Barry Pinto of District Attorney Brown's Anti-Bias/Youth Gang Bureau prosecuted the case. The Anti-Bias/Youth Gang Bureau is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mariela Stanton and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney James Clark Quinn.