20 Arrested In Riverside Gang Sweep
Federal, state and local law enforcement officers raided 40 addresses around Riverside today, arresting 20 people with ties to a street gang blamed for violence on the city’s eastside, authorities said.
The “Operation Tampa Bay” raid targeted the 1200 Blocc Crips, according to Riverside police Lt. Guy Toussaint. He said the arrests stemmed from drug, weapons and parole violations.
A total of 36 arrest warrants, 19 state search warrants and 21 probation and parole searches were handled by Riverside police, agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Corona police, the Riverside County Gang Task Force and other agencies.
“Today’s operation should serve as reassurance to our law-abiding community and a cause of worry for criminals in the city of Riverside,” said police Chief Sergio Diaz. “The Riverside Police Department will continue to partner with our colleagues in the federal government to target and investigate gangs and individual criminals who victimize our communities.
“We are particularly vigilant about keeping firearms out of the hands of gang members. The RPD is very grateful to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who have been outstanding partners in the fight against violent crimes.”
According to Toussaint, the 1200 Blocc Crips has been anchored on the eastside for decades. The 147-member, all-black street gang has been involved in deadly assaults, drug trafficking and other crimes.
Toussaint said the gang has been engaged in a years-long battle for turf with the all-Hispanic Eastside Riva, the city’s oldest gang, as well as the all-Hispanic Casa Blanca gang.
In January 2010, a multi-agency sweep throughout Riverside County dubbed “Operation Promise” targeted the Riva and crips, netting 50 arrests and leading to the seizure of nearly 30 firearms.
Eleven guns were seized during today’s operation.
“ATF and its federal and local partners are dedicated to pursuing and combating those street gangs whose violent criminal activities threaten and severely detract from the welfare of our communities, and who continue to perpetuate a regrettable and dangerous cycle of narcotics sales, murder and retaliation,” said John Torres, special agent in charge at the agency’s Los Angeles field office.
“It is essential that federal law enforcement continue to work in conjunction with local agencies to ensure that these street gangs are eradicated and that their membership does not increase,” he said.
