On Nov. 25, 2019, Jose Leonardo Sanchez was gunned down while sleeping in his car on Burnett Street in Hempstead. For three months, his murder was unsolved -- until now.

On Friday, Kadeem Lewis and Richard Ford were arraigned on charges of second-degree murder in connection to Sanchez's death. Police called it a crime of opportunity.

"They were out and about in Hempstead that night. They came upon Mr. Sanchez asleep in his car, felt he was an easy target and they attempted to rob him. Lewis shot him one time, causing his death," says Nassau Police Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick.

Police say Sanchez was shot when he tried to fight back against Lewis and Ford. The duo stole Sanchez's two cellphones, according to police.

News 12 is told Lewis was arrested recently in Schnectady, where he has friends and relatives. Ford was arrested Friday morning in Hempstead.

Police say Lewis would often come down from upstate New York, hook up with Ford to commit crimes on Long Island, and then go back upstate.

Authorities add that Lewis was on parole for a robbery conviction when he was arrested.