A Bellerose Village homeowner was arrested Thursday for fatally stabbing one of three people attempting to steal wheel rims and tires from his parked car on May 13, officials say.
According to detectives, defendant 28-year-old Jacob Alvarenga Mejia was at his home on 249-72 Jericho Tpke. when he saw three males attempting to steal the parts from his 2023 Toyota Highlander. The defendant walked outside with a large kitchen knife and stabbed 22-year-old Luis Pena, of the Bronx, multiple times in his upper torso before the subjects fled the scene.
The victim was transported by the two other subjects to a hospital in New York City where he was pronounced dead.
Alvarenga Mejia is charged with manslaughter in the first degree and assault in the first degree.
He will be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.