A suspected MS-13 gang member was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead Thursday in connection to two murders.

Detectives say Raul Ponce took part in the 2016 killing of Osmin Campos-Sandoval, and the 2017 fatal shooting of Nelson Rodriguez.

The 23-year-old is being held without bail.

"He was always on the radar," says Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick. "It was just a matter of at what point involved in the court process investigation was the right timing to charge him with these two particular acts."

Ponce is also facing charges in the machete murder of Bryan Lemus.