Gang Sweep
updated: Oct 10, 2012, 5:00 PM

Source: SBPD

This morning at 7:00 sharp, Santa Barbara Police Officers conducted a gang sweep at residences throughout the City. The legal authority to conduct the searches was either: a search warrant, or pursuant to court ordered terms of probation or parole. The goal was to arrest gang members/associates for arrest warrants, or ensure compliance with terms of probation/parole including: Do not possess illegal weapons, illegal drugs, or contraband. Gang sweeps are an enforcement component of the broad strategy to reduce both the membership and influence of criminal street gangs.

Five teams of officers and detectives went to 19 different locations. The following were arrested: · Christian Botello- Robbery, Committing a crime while a member of, and in furtherance of a criminal street gang.

· Marcial Garcia- Robbery, Criminal Threats, Committing a crime while a member of, and in furtherance of a criminal street gang, and violation of parole.

· Juan C. Gomez- Robbery, Committing a crime while a member of, and in furtherance of a criminal street gang.

· Joaquin Perez- Violation of parole, Possession of marijuana for sales.

· Ronald Contreras- Violation of Parole, possession of controlled narcotic

· Giovanny Torres- Violation of probation

· A 17 year old male, name being withheld, for Violation of probation

The three robbery charges stem from an incident reported in late August, 2012. A fourth suspect is outstanding and is being sought. The identity is not being released at this time. The victim in this case did not have gang affiliation.

SBPD deployed the armored Bearcat vehicle at one location, a residence in the 1200 block of Punta Gorda Street. Back on September 30th, at 11:50 p.m., police responded to numerous calls of shots fired in the area of Cacique and Canada Streets. Witnesses described a sedan fleeing the scene. Police found a similar vehicle in the area; when they pulled it over, multiple young men jumped out and fled. The driver was detained for investigation. In the course of that night's investigation, the same residence in the 1200 block of Punta Gorda was searched pursuant to court ordered terms of probation. Police found ¼ pound of cocaine and more than $10,000 cash. Proof of ownership could not be established. Because there was a reasonable suspicion that firearms were connected to the investigation, the Bearcat vehicle was used in today's operation to help ensure the search could be conducted safely.

SBPD's armored Bearcat vehicle, deployed in this morning's Gang Sweep, outside a residence in the 1200 block of Punta Gorda St.

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