OAKLAND – Thirteen suspected gang members, allegedly active in attempted murder and other violent crimes, were arrested through the Oakland Police Department’s Operation Ceasefire, officials announced Tuesday
The department’s Criminal Investigative Division worked with other area law enforcement agencies, including the Stockton Police Department, to serve six residential search warrants on the morning of July 10 – four in Oakland and two in Stockton, according to a report.
Antwan Araujo and “Moochie” McLeod – images from Facebook
The warrants netted 13 members of two identified violent gangs, YNIC and FE, who the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged with attempted murder, felony assault, robbery, burglary, home invasion robbery, carjacking, possession of illegal firearms, and conspiracy to commit crimes. Charges also included gang enhancements.
“The success of this operation depended on a coordinated team effort,” Chief Sean Whent said in a released statement. “The hard work and commitment of everyone involved reflects our dedication to reducing violent crime in Oakland.”
Before warrants were served, the Oakland Police Department’s Ceasefire intelligence-gathering unit identified and reached out to the targeted gang members to allow them opportunities to change, while underlining the negative consequences of their continued violent criminal behavior.
Devante Bell, Kenneth Rivers, and Jamar Nelson (Facebook)
During the long-term investigation, officers recovered 10 firearms, including one rifle and nine handguns, according to police officials.
Because the suspects continued to involve themselves in gang violence, they received focused attention from multiple law enforcement partners in conjunction with Operation Ceasefire, including the Oakland’s Felony Assault and Gang Unit, the Alameda County Probation Department, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
Oakland officials said Ceasefire is a partnership-based violence-reduction strategy with nationally proven results. Its goals are to reduce homicides and shootings, to reduce recidivism among participants, and to improve police-community relations.
Read More:
SFGate: Oakland-led sweep nets 13 gang arrests
