Community Corner

Nine Gang Members Arrested as Police Sweep San Gorgonio Pass

Sheriff's officials tell Patch a probation and parole compliance operation spanned from Calimesa to Cabazon, and targeted documented gang members.

*Editor's note: The ages of two suspects have been updated after Banning-Beaumont Patch contacted law enforcement for clarification.  The ages of Dean Tran and David Garcia now reflect those changes.

Original story posted June 21, 2013 at 12:40 pm:

More than a dozen probation and parole compliance checks were carried out in a gang sweep this week that targeted the San Gorgonio Pass, officials reported Friday.

The operation was carried out Thursday, from noon until 8 p.m., according to Riverside County Sheriff's Marc Boydd, who heads up The Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force.

"Officers conducted high visibility saturation patrol in areas frequented by local gang members," Boydd said in a press statement.  "Officers also conducted approximately 15 predetermined probation and parole compliance checks targeting documented gang members."

Though the sheriff's department helped facilitate the operation, Banning police tell Patch they helped organize it and identify the local gang members.  Beaumont police were not a part of the task force.

The operation was carried out in Banning, Beaumont, Cabazon and Cherry Valley, sheriff's and Banning police officials confirm to Patch.

According to Boydd and jail records, the following arrests were made as a result of the sweep: 

  • Johnie Gutierrez, 21, violation of probation, arrested in Calimesa
  • Johnny Martinez, 44, possession of a controlled substance for sales, arrested in Banning
  • Joshua Unruh, 26 years, violation of probation, arrested in Calimesa
  • Edward Nunez, 23 years, possession of a controlled substance, arrested in Banning
  • Dean Tran, 28 years, under the influence of a controlled substance, arrested in Banning
  • David Garcia, 29 years, outstanding felony warrants (jail records not yet available)
  • Wayne Cortez, 46 years, possession of controlled substance, arrested in Banning
  • Richard Cortez, 26 years, violation of probation, arrested in Banning
  • Johnny Pardo, 19 years, vehicle code violation (jail records not available)
According to jail records-- available for everyone except Garcia and Pardo as of this posting-- everyone remained jailed at Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility as of Friday afternoon.  

Tran was released the same night of his arrest, though, after posting $2,500 bail, records indicated.

The Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force is made up of 25 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the county.

"The Riverside County Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity," Boydd said.  "This is done through a collaborative effort combining peace officers, probation officers, parole agents, federal agents, and prosecutors whose common objective is to provide targeted intelligence gathering, enforcement, investigation and vigorous prosecution of gang members engaged in criminal activity."

Sgt. Boydd said those who have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, but do not wish to come forward, can use the online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601. 





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