Suspected gang member arrested during raids in Thousand Palms

Anti-gang deputies with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department raided three homes in Thousand Palms Thursday morning, arresting one suspect and confiscating a stolen shotgun and ammunition, according to authorities.

Martin Aguirre, 18, of Thousand Palms, was arrested on suspicion of being a gang member in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of stolen property. He was booked at the Riverside County jail in Indio where he was being held without bail, according to jail records.

The search warrants were related to an assault with a deadly weapon investigation in Thousand Palms from February 14.

The sweep began at about 5 a.m. in the 30200 block of Las FLores Way, the 30700 block of Monte Vista Way and the 31200 block of Robert Road, said Sgt. Mike Tapp. Members of the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force and Riverside County sheriff’s SWAT team collaborated in the raid.

In addition to the stolen shotgun and ammunition that was recovered, deputies said they also found gang paraphernalia during the sweep.

KESQ News Channel 3 / CBS Local 2 News received several calls in the newsroom about the police activity and a helicopter circling overhead.