Other Highlights
MAYOR ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
City of Los Angeles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2009
CONTACT:
David Beltran
(213) 978-0741
Photo Credit: Tyrone D. Washington/ LA Mayor's Office
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, LAPD ANNOUNCE SWEEPING CRACKDOWN ON VIOLENT STREET GANG
The multi-agency effort resulted in 45 arrests of members and associates of the Avenues criminal street gang, and the seizure of firearms and cash
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today joined City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Ed Reyes, the Los Angeles Police Department and representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to announce the execution of multiple search and arrest warrants targeting the Avenues criminal street gang.
“Today we took a big step towards clearing a community from the threat of random violence once and for all,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “When it comes to taking down our worst offenders, there is no resource we will not utilize, no code of law we will not use, and no agency - local, state, or federal - who will not join us to put them behind bars.”
The warrants executed, implicated members and associates of the Avenues criminal street gang for felony crimes including: narcotics and gun trafficking, car jacking, home invasion robberies, witness intimidation and murder. The multi-agency effort resulted in 45 arrests, the seizure of nine high caliber firearms and fifteen thousand dollars in cash.
The warrants were primarily served in the Northeast Area of Los Angeles, but included the cities of Pico Rivera, Bell, La Puente, Baldwin Park, Riverside, Colton, Brawly, Downey and California City.
“This morning’s operation demonstrated, not only a continuing commitment to this area, but an ability to foster and maintain long-term relationships with diverse communities and law enforcement agencies,” said Police Chief William Bratton. “The satisfaction comes when these neighborhoods spring back to life.”
The task force of 1300 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers included: the Los Angeles Police Department, LA HIDTA Task Force, United States Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Additional resources from the DEA, ATF, ICE, United States Marshal Service, Internal Revenue Service, Riverside County Sheriff, San Bernardino County Sheriff, Riverside Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Glendale Police Department, California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Los Angeles County Probation Department, Department of Children and Family Services and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office assisted in today’s operation.