More Than 100 Arrested In NorCal Gang Sweep
GILROY (CBS/AP) - Agents have made more than 100 arrests in the most recent action by California authorities to dismantle gangs in the state.
State Attorney General Kamala Harris announced the results of the 18-month long operation on Friday at a news conference in Gilroy.
Harris said the majority of the 103 people arrested in the last three days were gang members with prior convictions. The arrests were made in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
Among the charges facing the suspects: auto theft, gun charges, narcotics sales and burglary. Some also were arrested on federal indictments.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Earlier this year, Harris announced several gang takedowns in the Central Valley resulting in dozens of arrests and gun and drug seizures.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen participated in Friday's news conference and said his office played a key role in the operation.
"We provided legal advice and numerous search warrants. Our bureau of investigation assisted in arresting many of the suspects," he said.
Rosen said there were over 125 state arrest warrants for auto theft, insurance fraud and gang activity and that several of the suspects are "career criminals" under the three strikes law.
"We're very proud of working with our state and federal prosecutors to successfully combat gangsters who are a cancer in our community," Rosen added.
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