Officials deal 'a helluva blow' to gang
| Wednesday, Jun 10 2009 05:34 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Jun 10 2009 05:34 PM
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A criminal street gang that reportedly threatened to kill Kern County sheriff's deputies was the target Wednesday of an early morning raid in which 18 of its members were arrested, officials said.
The gang, suspected of involvement in a recent murder, several violent crimes, drug trafficking and a widespread car-theft ring, was besieged by 110 officers around the Delano area, Undersheriff Marty Williamson said at a news conference.
No deputies have been harmed as a result of the threats, made against them in the last several months, Williamson said.
The police had 25 arrest warrants and four search warrants in an effort that was continuing in the afternoon as officers searched for 18-year-old Francisco Cubeiro on a conspiracy to commit murder warrant, sheriff's gang Lt. Russ Albro said.
"He's the one we'd really like to apprehend," Albro said.
The officers seized six firearms in the raid and believe they have stopped two planned murders, Williamson said.
He said he would not elaborate on the threats against deputies, the previous homicide, the purported planned murders or many other specifics of the case because the investigation is ongoing.
He said the department would release the suspects' names and charges later.
District Attorney Ed Jagels said the operation fits in with with other recent gang target raids and he would prosecute whatever charges he can as much as possible.
"If they are in custody they can't be out committing violent crimes," Jagels said.
The undersheriff would not name the gang except to describe it as a criminal street gang whose car-theft operation extends from Fresno to Bakersfield.
"The purpose of the investigation was to disrupt and dismantle the gang's criminal organization and activity," Williamson said.
Jagels said the operation "dealt a helluva blow today" to the gang.
