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Authorities in New York City’s Kings County have arrested 18 members of the notorious Latin Kings gang for allegedly setting fire to two residences where a former fellow member was staying.

Police state that members Roger Vado and members of the Borough Park Homicide Squad set fire at two separate residences, where they believed Juan Kuang was living, by throwing Molotov cocktails at the buildings. One of the homes belonged to family members of Kuang´s girlfriend, said the district attorney.

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes states that Vado was targeting Kuang after Kuang allegedly stabbed Norman Vado, brother of Roger Vado, the leader of Latin King´s subdivision called the Borough Park Homicide Squad after Kuang lost his membership as a “King” due to a disagreement.

Although no one was hurt in the fires, police state that a building that housed children and an elderly woman, was completely destroyed, the other one ended up with a damaged exterior and rear wall.

With the anticipated retaliation and violence, the New York Post reports that district attorney states that he is “determined to bring the gang members to justice” and  “will not tolerate violent street gangs like this bunch trying to overrun our neighborhoods.”

While 18 members of the Latin Kings were arrested in relation to the fires, 10 were charged with Arson in the First Degree, which can eventually lead to a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Raymond W. Kelly, commissioner of the New York City Police, states that the gang members involved have long records of violent crimes before the internal conflict emerged inside the gang.

“This is not the actions of kings. This is the action of cowards, to put innocent people at risk and then run from the scene,” commented Mr. Kelly.

Peep the History Channel’s coverage of the Latin Kings on Gangland: