Guns and gangs: target of sweep operation in Hemet
Nearly 50 people were arrested and more than 75 firearms were seized Thursday morning during a series of raids in the Hemet area targeting gangs.
Local and federal law enforcement were seen raiding homes near Yale and Mayberry St. in Hemet. Neighbors say they woke up to loud bangs and shooting sounds at around 6 a.m., surprised to see such a heavy police presence in their neighborhood.
The results of Operation “Valley Vigilance”, a seven-month ongoing investigation, were announced by representatives from the Hemet Police Department and the Riverside County at a news conference in Hemet at around 1:00 p.m.
According to Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown, an estimated 400 local and federal law enforcement officers were deployed to 58 separate locations, serving 37 federal and state arrest warrants in Hemet, Perris, San Jacinto and surrounding unincorporated communities.
Brown said 24 people were taken into custody during Thursday’s raids. Combined with 23 other arrests made before June 29, the total number of people arrested in the operation moves up to 47. Among the 47 arrests made, some involved murder charges.
There are six other suspects who are wanted and still being sought for arrest.
77 firearms, as well as four pounds of narcotics, were seized during the operation. Brown added that 29 probation compliance checks were successfully carried out.
During the news conference, Chuck Cervello, the commander of the task force, said that some of those arrested had ties to the Coachella Valley. The number of how many had Coachella Valley ties will be released at a later date.
Along with Hemet PD and D.A.’s office personnel, agents from the U.S. Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Palm Springs Police Department participated in the operation.
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