FREEPORT, LONG ISLAND – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody of a man charged in Nassau County after a series of vehicle fires in Freeport.

According to the DHS release, Nassau County police arrested Elder Lopez-Avalos on May 10, 2026, on fire and arson charges connected to multiple cars. DHS said several fires were reported near a children’s center parking area. The charges are accusations, and readers should follow local court records for final case outcomes.

What DHS reported

DHS said the Nassau County Police Department cooperated with ICE, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and that ICE took Lopez-Avalos into custody on May 12. The agency said he remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

The DHS release also includes broader agency claims about detainers and New York jurisdictions. Midtown Tribune is treating those figures as DHS statements and linking to the source so readers can review the agency’s wording directly.

Why it matters for New York readers

The item is locally relevant because it connects a Nassau County criminal case, federal immigration enforcement, and local law-enforcement cooperation. It may matter to readers tracking public safety, immigration enforcement policy, and official agency actions in the New York metro area.

Official source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, May 18, 2026.