Major police raid targets L.A.'s notorious Avenues gang

Hundreds of police officers and federal law enforcement agents launched a major assault on the Avenues gang this morning, hoping to deal a blow to an elusive group they say is responsible for some of Los Angeles' most notorious street crime.

Under the cover of darkness around 3 a.m., roughly 1,200 heavily armed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and several other agencies dispersed from a command post near the LAPD’s training academy in Elysian Park.

Warrants in hand, they descended on dozens of homes in search of 53 alleged members or associates of the Avenues gang wanted on an array of federal charges related to extensive drug dealing, unsolved murders and other crimes.

Forty-three suspects already are in custody on unrelated charges. The operation was aimed to bring new charges against 88 Avenues members or associates, a significant share of a gang that is believed to have about 400 members. 

Some suspects were sought elsewhere in the city, but the sweep focused on Glassell Park and other neighborhoods in the northeastern reaches of Los Angeles -- the center of Avenues territory since the gang first surfaced in the 1950s.

There were no reports of officers encountering armed resistance. San Bernardino sheriff's officers say they shot two aggressive dogs they encountered at one location.

It was not immediately clear how many of the suspects had been found at their homes and taken into custody. The names of the suspects and the crimes they were accused of also were not immediately known, pending the unsealing of the indictments.

The arrests culminated a yearlong investigation of the gang run by a unit of LAPD detectives that specializes in gang-related homicides and a DEA task force.

The Avenues came under scrutiny in the wake of the August 2008 slaying of Juan Abel Escalante, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy. Escalante, 27, was gunned down outside of his parents’ Cypress Park home early in the morning as he headed to work as a guard at the Men’s Central Jail.

LAPD detectives led the murder investigation into the killing because it occurred within city boundaries. Within days of the shooting, agents from the DEA task force, which had previously investigated the Avenues, came to the LAPD with information they had gathered that indicated members from the gang may have been responsible.

That tip led to the arrest in December of two Avenues members in connection with the murder. Months later, a third member was taken into custody, and charges were brought against a fourth, who remains a fugitive. In the course of investigating the Escalante killing, however, the LAPD detectives and DEA agents delved into the inner workings of the Avenues and began compiling evidence related to a host of other alleged crimes.

Some of the information was collected during interrogations of Avenues members and others from the neighborhood who had been arrested by a special team of 54 uniformed gang officers deployed in the area. Much of the incriminating information, however, came from the suspects themselves as DEA agents secured approval from federal judges for an array of wire taps that allowed them to listen in on gang members’ phone conversations.

"They could have just stuck with Escalante," said LAPD Capt. Kevin McClure, who oversees the detective unit. “They could have said, ‘We got what we came for,’ packed it up and moved on to something that would have been easier. This operation was not a result of me telling them they have to do this. It is a result of this unit saying, ‘There is more here, let’s keep going.’ ”

Over the course of the investigation, cases were built against Avenues members for their alleged roles in six other unsolved murders and four attempted murders, said a top LAPD gang detective involved in the operation. He requested that his name not be used because of concerns over retaliation by Avenues members.

The bulk of the charges are for extortion and other crimes that Avenues members and associates allegedly committed as part of the gang’s extensive drug trafficking in the area, police say. Most of the Avenues members included in the indictment are being charged under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which allows prosecutors to pursue more serious prison sentences. At a planning briefing last week with representatives from the agencies involved, there was little question as to what had kept the group motivated.

With the auditorium at LAPD headquarters filled with a few hundred officers, a recording was played of the phone call Escalante’s wife made to a 911 dispatcher after discovering him in the street. “If anyone has any doubt about the rationale or reason behind this operation, it was this,” a detective said.

At the meeting, officers reviewed the complicated logistics involved in a gang sweep of such a large magnitude. With more than a dozen targets located on one street alone, the routes each team of officers would take and the order of their deployment had to be painstakingly planned.

Officers were instructed to bring suspects back to the command post for processing wearing only clothes and a pair of shoes. Any jewelry, cellphones or other belongings would clog up what promised to be an already hectic assembly line of alleged criminals.  Staff from the state’s Child Protective Services department would be on hand to handle children found in any of the homes, officers were told.

The gang, named for the avenues that cross Figueroa Street,  has a long, ugly history dating back at least to the 1950s, when it was linked to many shootouts and killings. It is thought by some that the group’s origins can be traced back to some of the hundreds of families displaced from Chavez Ravine, now home to Dodger Stadium, and the Rose Hill areas.

The group’s insignia, which many members have tattooed on their bodies, is a skull with a bullet hole, wearing a fedora. Various cliques of the Avenues claim Highland Park and parts of Cypress Park, Glassell Park and Eagle Rock as their territory. It is linked closely to the Mexican Mafia prison gang, which demands that the Avenues and other Eastside gangs send up a share of the taxes they collect from low-level drug dealers and others selling goods on their turf.

Today’s sweep is hardly the first time law enforcement has taken on the Avenues. In 2002, the city attorney won an injunction against the gang, making it illegal for members to congregate throughout much of Highland Park, Glassell Park, Cypress Park and Eagle Rock. A few years later, federal prosecutors won hate-crime convictions against Avenues members for the killings of three black men between 1995 and 2000.

Government attorneys argued that the Avenues launched a campaign of violence to force black people out of the Highland Park area in the 1990s and targeted the men simply because of their race. In 2007, the city used a narcotics-abatement lawsuit to shut down the home of a family at the center of the Avenues' Drew Street clique.

At the time, then-City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo called the house the gang’s “mother ship.” In February of last year, the gang re-erupted into the city’s public consciousness when policy say Drew Street members  gunned down a man as he stood on a curb holding his 2-year-old granddaughter’s hand.

They brazenly took on police in a running gun battle, firing at officers with an AK-47 assault rifle in broad daylight. Most recently, in June 2008, the DEA task force that came to LAPD detectives with information on the Escalante killing conducted a similar, but smaller, operation to the one carried out today. That investigation named 70 defendants.

At the time, LAPD officials assured residents of the area that they would work to keep the gang from reclaiming control of the neighborhoods. Drug activity in the area has slowed considerably in recent months, the detective said, but considering the size of today’s operation, the gang clearly has maintained a commanding presence in the area.

"They’ve owned that community for a long, long time," the detective said. "Only time will tell for sure, but I think this will be a blow that will finally make a lasting impact."

-- Joel Rubin

Photo: Several men suspected of being members or associates of the Avenues gang are held in a booking area after being arrested during a predawn raid. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[BORN IN DREW]

the funny part is that the LAPD has killed more people of color than this or any other gang in socal.................where is the outcry?

[joel]

I got pulled over years ago by a LAPD patroll they said they are the biggest strongest GANG in the world ... well that make sense now , they kill one of their own and they retaliate like a real gang .

[Matt]

In regards to earlier posts that 43 of the 53 were already in custody and that it was overkill for 1200 officers to go after the remaining 10. You were wrong, 43 were in custody from the previous investiagtion several months earlier. This operation was targeting over 50 locations and 40-50 suspects. With Escalante being murdered it did up the ante and cause the LAPD and FBI to increase their efforts to put the Avenues out of business. So the answer to the question, "Did it take the police to act because one of their own was killed," is "Yes!" If this gang is so ruthless and brazen to kill Police Officers then this is the kind of response it would expect. If they have the guts to shot and kill police then they would no doubt shot and kill anyone else they see fit.

[HaveaClue]

43 were detained at the time the article was being written. The picture posted above shows 5 detained. If you want to take things so literal, then take that these gangs are dangerous and organized. Since we have a democratic society with a legal system in place, facts and evidence have to be present in order to obtain search warrants. Since many people are afraid to get involved, law enforcement has to wait for verifiable information to proceed in obtaining arrest warrants to arrest these gang members and their associates. Verifiable information is in this example, through wire taps to name one. This is not easy and unfortunately takes a long time because of all the red tape and civil rights. Have a clue or two....

[me]

Hey Bill, that family that was killed for "No reason", was with thir kid looking for drugs. They werent some innocent family who just happened to take a wrong turn. These fools were looking to score with the kids in hand.

GOOD JOB LAPD!! Keep it up. You have my support all the way, be safe and GOD BLESS you all!!

Glendale PD is just next door, you should get these guys to do something too instead of constantly handing out chick as* tickets.

[ItsOnlyTheBeginning]

I agree with everyone that this was a long time in the making. I really hope the police have solid evidence to keep these gang members behind bars. Although, if they are already run by the Mafia, what is going to become of these small timers once they have been regrouped (in prison), retrained and released back onto the streets? Then we are really in trouble.

I grew up in Highland Park but moved my family out of there 5 years ago before my kids got either dragged in or beat up by this gang. When I go visit family in the area it still scares me. Helicopters and gun fire seem to be an everyday sound around there.

[Human Waste]

How sad! Why do we need to send so many cops after only a few dozen bad guys? Why do we need so many cops, period? This area has a much greater police presence than the parts of the City that have lower crime rates. Why?

A few comments suggested we need to throw more money at public schools and such. Why? The schools in this area already receive more money per capita than almost any other public schools in the country, yet have some of the worst graduation rates and test scores anywhere. Why?

Other comments suggested that the gang problem relates to illegal immigration. Yet, criminal gangs operate among groups that are all US born, too. Why?

I cannot suggest answers that solve all these problems. I will state unequivocally, however, that I see these gangs proliferate in communities where people believe it's up to the government or society to solve all their problems. Communities where there is an enourmous sense of entitlement. I don't see this level of gang activity in communities where residents take pride in their families, homes, and neighborhood. When something goes bad, they work together to fix it. Why does this not happen in Northeast LA?

[MOTAE]

Not enough.. Nice headline but wont make a dent in the problem. Just wish every illeagle was deported instead of becoming a burden to the US taxpayers.

[Mike]

Illegals flooding our schools and exploiting our resources welfare, section 8 etc that the truly needy can't get it. So the city and state don't have the resources to fund the Police Dept to protect the people LA. Illegal immigration is the root of most gang problems here in CA if you cant prove citizenship no schools no medical no support dont buy oranges, maid service, and the such and they will not come here because most of the money they make goes back to MX, CR,GT etc and not back into the community.

[Unbelievable]

X OFFICER: Are you seriously trying to defend this gang saying they did not deserve this? They "tax" local drug dealers for the mafia and their blatant disrespect for authority or society. The reason this has gone on for as long as it has is because they have the city intimidated with their trigger happy members.

Officer Camacho doesn’t even work in the NE area, he hasn’t for years. If it took the death of one of their own to get them engaged in finally ridding the streets of these hoodlums then so be it. Better late than never! If you were an actual police office with those juvenile writing skills, that’s a shame.

[YOYOYO!]

Gangs are like the flu, you get rid of it and it comes back.
Instead of wasting time arresting people. why dont you start little clubs and stuff for the young ones in trouble. Its the teens that matter the most

[RLugoR]

Perhaps the reason that gangs continue to multiply like a virus is because major assults like this are not done as frequently as they should be.these gangs think they can get away with anything because they have a "purpose" and theres no show of strength against them. I aplaud the Police for acting in such a decisive manner but they have got to keep it up! get rid of these embarrassments of latino culture. it makes me ashamed to share the same roots with parasites like the Avenues and the Mex. Mafia.

[boba bowie]

I wonder how many of these gangmembers are illegal aliens, i'd wager most of these creeps were actually born in Mexico. Time to call INS.

[Colin Wright]

Don't ever kill a cop. That was the message, and it was sent.

I'm not too shocked by this. I am a little cynical when it comes to those who are outraged that this is how it works.

Look: the police don't mind criminals. I mean, they try to stop them, but that's just their job. When they do get upset is when one defies them, resists them, or -- God forbid -- kills them.

And that's just the way it is. How could it be otherwise?

[Nick]

Anyone notice that guy is wearing one sock?

[NOBUKO OBAKA EZAKI]

GOOD JOB LAPD !

[Big Richie]

Not to sound old fashioned cause I'm not that old, but this all comes down to parenting. I was pressured into joining gangs since I was 10 till I was 17 and never did cause I'd have to answer to my mother. I went to school and had alot of gang member friends, and when I'd go to their house the parents were never around. Either they were both at work or the mom was out running the street and the dad was drunk at the bar. Why is it in this day and age we need a license to drive a car or catch a fish, need to be 18 to vote and 21 to drink, but there's NO RESTRICTIONS on becoming a parent!?!?!?! You against abortion? Think about that kid you're trying to save growing up and killing your kid on the street cause their momma never wanted them. And don't down the Mexican culture, we've been here longer than all the others except for Natives.... PEACE.

[mostnot]

@ Human Waste, You have some very valid points, the truth of the matter is, we have all allowed the problem to grow so large that most are afraid to do anything, and as a result good teachers don't want to take the jobs bad teachers are given because of the risk associated with it.

Law Enforcement has pretty much taken a hands off approach for fear of the ACLU, and other organizations that promote civil responsibilities when reporting abuses perceived by LE, but say nothing about citizenry doing the same for local criminal activity, that will not only raise the value of the community, making it desirable for more than just junk food eateries, corner storefronts, barber and beauty shops, pawn shops, half baked medical clinics, under staffed, and under qualified hospitals, run down churches, and air polluting blowers and lawnmowers that make life almost hopeless.

Elected officials are happily self serving, giving the community a bone every now and again to prop them up until the next event that steams them. These people are simply collateral damage in the war to political high stepping.

Education, Law Enforcement, Political Office, etc. is all just a job now, it has nothing to do with making life better for its citizens. There was a time when the law took pride in breaking up criminal enterprises, they paraded the big catches in front of the cameras to warn potential followers this is what happens to you. Elected officials wanted to bring the best out of every American, made sure each had the ability to reach the American dream, that is now a nightmare, because there is no floor to stop people dirty practices that took people under. Civic organizations promised a brighter future for people, making sure the constitution applied to them, and rightly so. Churches taught on moral fortitude and salvation, not prosperity.

Teachers did what it took to make sure as many as would work hard, that higher education was at the doorstep. Today they just babysit the 99% that sit outside the magnet arena.

[michael miller]

Thank god for the LAPD! Now its time for Mayor Villaraigosa to step up and start reducing the illegal immigrant population in Los Angeles, we've dealt with violent drug dealing gangs crowding our neighborhoods, schools and emergency rooms long enough! He needs to remember who voted him in.... it wasn't the millions of illegal immigrants he likes to host here in Los Angeles.

[Neil]

I am not from Los Angeles, I am from Chicago, but I have learned a lot about LA gangs by watching the movie "Colors" and the one thing I learned is that gangs in LA they never die, just multiply. But seriously those Avenue guys in the pic look like some bad ass dudes. Remind me to stay out of that hood on my next trip to LA.

[SaveLA]

As a hispanic Angeleno in college, this makes my day. Maybe getting rid of this scum will make the American people that some of us are proud Americans and not all latinos are like these SOB's that have no respect for anything. This is exactly what I want to do when I get out of college.

[no longer there]

"Let's not forget the tragic killing in 96 by the "ave's" of the family that took a wrong turn down an alley and were killed in broad daylight for no reason at all.
Posted by: bill | September 22, 2009 at 09:51 AM "

Bill – first off, it was in 1995, almost 14 years to the day. Secondly, it wasn’t “in broad daylight”; it was around midnight or so. Third, they DID NOT take a wrong turn...they clearly knew exactly where to go to find what those crack heads needed. The driver had a criminal record for drugs, if I remember correctly. It was very unfortunate that an innocent life was taken, but the adult occupants in the vehicle should’ve been charged, too, along with the avenues members. I was a young kid living in the neighborhood when this occurred and I remember the extensive media coverage. Anyone from the area could tell you what to expect when driving through the dead end street of Isabel…come on now!!! One thing I still think of til this day is had that little girl been any other color (aside from white), there would not have been world media covering the event. Anyways, that is said and done…

There are plenty of untold motives behind these raids or retaliations. The media always sheds light on the ‘good guy’ version of the story. But as long the streets are free of these pieces of work, so be it. Don’t be fooled by the ‘good guy’ image of the LAPD. A few months back, while visiting a childhood friend still living in the neighborhood, I was harassed by the fine men in black and white. I was never involved in any gangs, don’t have a criminal record at all, nor do I even look like a thug, for that matter. This “Sgt.” was very rude and unprofessional; using curse words when I was being courteous and polite. He was a total prick! I realize he has to deal with plenty of douchebags, but when someone doesn’t fit the ‘profile’, is it really necessary?!?!

[XXX]

"These guys are the same rank as the Taliban or Al Qeada. Their goal is taking over the city or country. We spent billions in other war and nothing on the gangs. Send in the national guard and wipe every one out then we can be America again. "

KK

"Reroute the 10,000 troops that are scheduled to go to Afganistan and set up a permanent command post in Los Angeles county. Send them on patrols 24/7 in armored humvees with the authority to shoot to kill if attacked. Give them air support with Apache helicopters. Anybody dumb enough to try and outrun a helicopter or crazy enough to attack an armored humvee gets the .50 caliber treatment.

Done."

Chris
I agree what KK and Chris said. It seems to me that they're just trying to take over cities or states or even country. C'mon man...anyone that has that kind of mentality has the same kind of instinct as these terrorists. Why the hell you wanna take over america or cities or streets? ..it's ridiculous. My opinion is that these guys should get permanently deportations. These people are just like a disease infecting the community and I believe they should get eradicated for good. I really believe that without these types of people that the community would be much safer. Police needs help....Send in the national guard or at least 5000 marines/troops to LA county. Like what Chris said.

[george rodriguez]

hey this is so awesome o

[C Cliveden]

Anyone else support sterilization (male and female) for these criminals (once convicted)? No more babies!