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Investigation of CHP officer's murder leads to 57 arrests

The Associated Press | Monday, Apr 24 2006 7:15 PM

Last Updated: Monday, Apr 24 2006 7:15 PM

Fifty-seven suspected gang members were arrested after a yearlong investigation into the death of a CHP officer who was shot by a 16-year-old boy outside a courthouse, authorites said Monday.

Investigators from local, state and federal agencies began arresting the suspected members of the Pomona 12th Street Sharkies gang Friday on charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder to weapons and drug-related violations, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in a statement.

Authorities used wiretaps, informants, surveillance and undercover agents during the investigation to obtain evidence against alleged gang leaders. Authorities seized dozens of weapons, more than $43,000 in cash, and illegal drugs worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The probe began after Valentino Mitchell Arenas shot CHP Officer Thomas Steiner in April 2004 outside a Pomona courthouse to gain status with members of P12, one of the oldest and most notorious street gangs in the city.

Steiner, of Long Beach, was attacked after leaving the courthouse, where he had testified in five traffic citation cases.

Arenas later admitted to the killing and was sentenced in March 2005 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"I sincerely hope the arrests resulting from this investigation bring a sense of justice to the Steiner family and relief from fear and intimidation to the citizens of Pomona," said Will Telish, director of the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force.