The Santa Maria Police Department is reaching out to community members to help them solve the recent homicide of a Santa Maria man.
Eighteen-year-old Erik Alonso was stabbed to death earlier this month. On Dec. 18, the police department’s gang suppression team arrested a handful of suspects after receiving information that fights and/or a possible drive-by shooting might occur at either Santa Maria High School or Pioneer Valley High School.
According to a press release from the police department, representatives from several law enforcement agencies responded to both campuses in an attempt to deter any gang activity. While patrolling the Pioneer Valley campus, police located and arrested the aforementioned individuals. Police reported these subjects were believed to be arming themselves for a fight against rival gang members.
Three of the suspects were juveniles and were booked into Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall. An 18-year-old suspect was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on suspicion of possession of dangerous and illegal weapons.
Officials went on to say in the release that investigators’ efforts to solve Alonso’s homicide have been “repeatedly hampered” by witnesses’ unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation. Gang suppression team detectives believe witnesses are being threatened by suspected members of the West Park Gang to keep them from speaking with the police.
Investigating officers said witnesses to the stabbing have been reluctant to share information with them because of fears of gang retaliation.
“The Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team takes reports of witness intimidation very seriously,” police department officials said in the release. “They are committed to aggressively pursuing individuals responsible for these types of crimes. Charges of witness intimidation related to a gang crime carry a potential sentence of life imprisonment.”
Calls made to the police department seeking additional information were not returned as of press time.
Members of the public who might have any leads for this case are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers, an anonymous tip line, at 1-877-800-9100.
This article appears in Dec 24-31, 2009.