Police release mug shots after 15 arrested in gang sweep

Law enforcement arrested fifteen people suspected of gang activity after serving search warrants at 27 residences throughout the Coachella Valley early Wednesday morning.

Officials said ten of those arrested are active gang members. The warrants stem from gang violence and shootings that have occurred over the last several months.

The majority of the activity took place in Coachella where deputies said they served warrants at 21 homes. They also served warrants at two homes in Desert Hot Springs and at four Indio residences.

Officers recovered four handguns, a .22 rifle, two ounces of suspected methamphetamine and $1,500. More than 200 law enforcement officers from several different agencies, including local, federal and state, participated in the operation.

Search warrants were served at the following residences:

85000 Block of Bagdad Avenue, Coachella
51000 Block of Sunset Drive, Coachella
48000 Block of Estrella Tomas, Coachella
85000 Block of Damascus Avenue, Coachella
51000 Block of Calle Avila, Coachella
51000 Block of Douma Street, Coachella
52000 Block of Calle Techa, Coachella
51000 Block of Calle Techa, Coachella
51000 Block of Lorenza Lane, Coachella
85000 Block of Medina Avenue, Coachella
85000 Block of Araby, Coachella
50000 Block of Saltillo Circle, Coachella
50000 Block of Suncrest Street, Coachella
86000 Block of Wallace Road, Coachella
84000 Block of Avenue 51, Coachella
85000 Block of Avenue 52, Coachella
84000 Block of Avenida Europa, Coachella
52000 Block of Calle Techa, Coachella
50000 Block of Andrea Lane, Coachella
53000 Block of Calle La Paz, Coachella
52000 Block of Calle Avila, Coachella
66000 Block of Ironwood, Desert Hot Springs
11000 Block of Verbenia, Desert Hot Springs
46000 Block of Monte Verde, Indio
46000 Block of Chia Circle, Indio
82000 Block of Miles Avenue, Indio
45000 Block of King Street, Indio

The following people were arrested:

Noe Castro, 33 yrs, Coachella – Possession of a controlled substance for sales
Daniel Camarillo, 33 yrs, Coachella – Violation of probation
Iris Godinez, 36 yrs, Coachella – 2 outstanding felony warrants
Joe Sicairo, 33 yrs, Coachella – Violation of probation
Ramiro Aviles, 25 yrs, Coachella – Outstanding felony warrant
Jose Torres, 69 yrs, Coachella – Felon in possession of a firearm
Jassan Jammand, 20 yrs, Coachella – Possession of a stolen firearm
Brian Jammand, 18 yrs, Coachella – Possession of a stolen firearm
Nick Gomez, 18 yrs, Coachella – Felon in possession of ammunition
Carlos Sevilla, 26 yrs, Coachella – Outstanding felony warrant
Frank Torres, 23 yrs, Coachella – Possession of a controlled substance for sales
Gabriel Hernandez, 34 years, Coachella – Felon in possession of ammunition
Brian Mejia, 22 yrs, Coachella – Outstanding felony warrant
Joseph Miramontes, 66 yrs, Coachella – Outstanding felony warrant
Bianca Galvan, 44 yrs, Desert Hot Springs – Outstanding felony warrant

“For us it’s a start, we have to continue to be consistent we have too look at this comprehensively and to look at the root causes that some of our residents are entering into gang violence or entering gangs,” said Steven Hernandez, Mayor of the City of Coachella.

“This effort is one one many efforts and many steps that we need to take place in the City of Coachella to make the city safer and to one day rid the city of criminal street gangs and predators and thugs that prey on the innocent,” said Capt. Andrew Shouse with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 has confirmed that a pit bull was shot and killed at one of the Desert Hot Springs homes, located in the 11000 block of Verbena Drive.

Authorities said a pit bull charged at law enforcement and one of the officers discharged his weapon to eliminate the threat. We’re reaching out to the family to get some more information about the shooting and we’ll post updates as soon as we have them.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department released a statement saying the operation, dubbed ‘Operation Safe Coachella 15.1’, is part of an ongoing effort to combat predatory gang activity in the community, and protect law abiding residents from violence.

Anyone with information related to this ongoing effort is encouraged to contact Investigator Matt Diaz at (760) 863-8856. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.

Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Police arrest suspected gang members in ‘Operation Safe Coachella 15.1’