A group of approximately 40 law enforcement officials recently conducted a gang sweep in response to reports of increased criminal activity in the northern Santa Maria area.
On Oct. 23, officers from a handful of city, county, and state agencies worked together to target 49 suspected West Park gang members. According to a press release from the Santa Maria Police Department, the sweep led to 50 parole or probation searches, and 12 arrests for a variety of charges, including parole and probation violations, weapons charges, drug sales, unlawful sexual intercourse, assault with a deadly weapon, and other violations. Immigration holds were placed on three suspects to confirm the legality of their immigration status.
“Within the past year and more—specifically the last six months—the West Park criminal street gang has increased their activity,” Santa Maria Police Department officials wrote in the release. “West Park gang members have been suspected as being involved in several shootings. One of these shootings resulted in the death of a non-gang-related victim.”
West Park members, the police said, have committed strong-arm, armed robberies, and other felony assaults. West Park members are also said to be involved in narcotic trafficking of controlled substances and the illegal possession of firearms.
More anti-gang operations are being scheduled for the future, police officials said in the release.
For more information, contact the police department at 928-3781.
News Briefs is compiled by Sun staffers from staff reporting and local and national media. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.