Massive raid in Glassell Park nabs 44 Avenues gang members

Under the cover of darkness this morning, about 1,200 heavily armed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and several other agencies launched a major assault on the Avenues gang, hoping to deal a blow to one of Los Angeles' most notorious criminal groups.

Warrants in hand, teams of officers departed a massive command center in Elysian Park around 3 a.m. and descended on dozens of homes in search of 54 alleged members or associates of the Avenues gang who were wanted on an array of federal charges related to the gang's extensive drug dealing, unsolved murders and other crimes.

Within hours, 44 of the men and women were in custody, according to LAPD Capt. Kevin McClure, who is overseeing the operation. The others remained at large and are being sought. Among the arrested was Tammy Armstrong, a state corrections officer accused of aiding members of the gang currently incarcerated. Several weapons were also confiscated.

With more than three dozen other suspects already in custody on unrelated crimes, the operation aimed to bring fresh criminal 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 and in other counties, 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 violent resistance. San Bernardino County sheriff's officers shot two aggressive dogs they encountered at one location, police said.

More typical of the morning was the scene that unfolded on Estara Street in Glassell Park. LAPD SWAT team members quietly surrounded a home in search of a pair of brothers, Norberto and Roberto Salazar. Using a bullhorn, a SWAT officer ordered the occupants out of the house. Several dazed looking women carrying small children wrapped in blankets emerged and were taken aside for questioning. They were followed shortly by Norberto Salazar, who was walked down the street in stiff plastic handcuffs and wearing baggy white shorts and a white tank top.

On the street corner, beneath a sign advertising check cashing at the El Ranchito meat market, Salazar spoke quietly with detectives for several minutes before being led away to a waiting car. He is accused of directing other Avenues members to commit several violent or drug-related crimes. His brother, who is accused in a beating of a man, was not found at the house.

The operation culminated a yearlong investigation of the gang that had been headed jointly by a unit of LAPD detectives that specializes in gang-related homicides and a DEA task force. The group turned its focus on the Avenues 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 detectives with information they had gathered that indicated members of 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 wiretaps that allowed them to listen in on gang members' phone conversations.

"They could have just stuck with Escalante," McClure said. "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, police said. The bulk of the charges, however, involve 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 and associates 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.

During a final briefing at the command post this morning, however, LAPD Cmdr. Pat Gannon reminded the officers, "This is not about payback. This is about us being professional, doing our jobs and putting people behind bars."

After several weeks of painstaking planning, the sweep went off without any major problems. Once taken into custody, suspects were transported back to the command post, which took on a surreal quality as the day's first light revealed dozens of handcuffed men and women being processed in an assembly-line fashion in the middle of a sprawling parking lot dotted with hundreds of police vehicles and catering trucks to feed hungry officers.

The Avenues 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 area.

The group's insignia, which many members have tattooed on their bodies, is a skull with a bullet hole in it and 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 police said 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 and violence in the area has slowed considerably in recent months, police said, but considering the size of today's operation, the gang has maintained a commanding presence.

More than last year's sweep, today's operation struck deeper at the guts of gang, targeting higher-level members who play central roles in running the day-to-day operations of the gang. Most prominent on the list of suspects taken into custody was Rudy Aguirre Jr. Aguirre had established himself as a crucial bridge to the outside for several of the gang's leaders in Pelican Bay State Prison, said Christopher Brunwin, the assistant U.S. attorney leading the effort to prosecute those arrested.

"The roots of this gang and others like it run so deep that the idea of completely eliminating it is not a realistic goal," said LAPD Deputy Chief Charlie Beck. "But eliminating its ability to operate as a criminal enterprise is realistic. We have taken a big step in that direction today."

-- Joel Rubin reporting from Glassell Park and Elysian Park

Photo: Law enforcement officers shackle one of the suspects arrested in a pre-dawn raid against the Avenues gang in Los Angeles. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Video: Times staff writer Joel Rubin describes the scene

More photos > > >

Comments

[Thomasi]

More related to the comments than to the story, but I really wish people would stop using the word "terrorist" so haphazardly, to describe any person who acts violently. "Terrorist" has a very specific meaning, pertaining to someone who carries out warfare *against civilians* in order to achieve *political ends.* Iraqi militants who carry out attacks against uniformed U.S. soldiers are not terrorists (at least, not in that situation - some probably have committed terrorism elsewhere), and gang members who commit crimes, even violent ones, for the benefit of their drug trade and turf wars aren't either. They're gang members, murderers, drug dealers, whatever. Let's not dilute the English language by using any word to describe any thing.

[Government Waste]

WOW!!! WHAT WASTE OF MONEY AND RESOURCES!!!!! WE SHOULD DO SWEEPS LIKE THIS ON WALL STREET!!!

[rc pollett]

This is a good start. But the question is, why weren't they aware of the "host of other alleged crimes," before the murder of Escalante?

[Eddie R.]

I am glad to hear a big arrest on the Avenues gang has been done, but why for cop. For over 30 years this gang has terrorized the communties of Highland Park and Glasell Park and surrounding areas. Killing and robbing innocent people over race disputes, being weak or apart of tehir stipid click. I grew up in the Highland park and Mt. Washington area. I remeber when Highland Park was dscent place to live, start a business, and raise a family. When thses punks took over the community, it was a disaster. I want to applaud the COPS, but not fully. Why did it take you this long. The Avenues headquarters, were only back of the LAPD Northeast Station. Still you couldn't do nothing. You have had to waite until they killed law abiding citizens over race, or becuase they didn't roll with the Ave's click and like cowards they terrorizng the innocent society.

Well I hope this does a change, but again the LAPD Northeast division needs to do more, and quit relying on the community to do their part. Especially the law abiding citizens. The punks are right in your face, arrest them. They do have junctions against them, stop being lazy and do your jobs as COPS and put a major dent on this gang. They don't need to be anymore bigger than they already are.

[Ninty9]

Go LAPD! Believe me LAPD, busting up gangs is easy if you understand what scares them the most: area surveilance cameras. If but a handfull of these devices are mounted in those troubled "hoods", I'm sure it will be money well spent. This program has been quite successful in cities in Europe.

[twocents]

The only way to solve this problem is to not let these gang members breed. Snip Snip! Their kids' futures are bleak anyways. Why not save them and us the misery.

[Dodger Tony]

Look at the city we live in. Look at the refuse masquerading as human beings. Look at these subhuman animals. Someone should nuke the whole thing. Just nuke it out of existence and start over on some other planet, some other orb, some other dimension of existence, overseen by giant octupi who consume human DNA until each and every living morsel is moribund.
What a waste of God's mind, to create "man" in his own image. In spite of man's contributions to eternity, God really really botched this one. Free will! Gimme a break!
End it already, Lord.

[Dianne Foster]

Maybe the City should have worked with this group when they decided to displace them to build Dodger Stadium. When I was growing up in Anaheim there was a neighborhood, Independencia, where "the Mexican kids" lived. But for all I know, they were a lot more native than the whites in my suburb, arriving if not decades before, perhaps centuries. Some of them may have even been Mission Indians.

Reading Leo Politi, you can see there was an attractive neighborhood around Angel's Flight, with Spanish-speaking citizens.

So what are these people? Strangers or natives? I am guessing the latter. If they have turned to crime, it is terrible. But it is also a judgment on a lot of the cowboys and Indians thinking of past years.

[DR]

LA Times... why wasn't my postings placed on here? it had no restricted words and yet you censored my comments why??? I lived in Pacoima for much of my youth and watched that and many others areas deteriate to become places to avoid. Thses gangs have ruined this state and LA has become a huge cesspool in many black and hispanic housed areas. It's such a shame of what has become of a city I once loved. I noticed that only a killing of coyotes made for much outcey from the predominantly caucasion areas of LA killings of blacks and browns? hardly a murmer anymore. A Shame.

[car253]

Thank you for a great job LAPD!!

But what is wrong with the city council? Bratton brought in community based policing. Now the city council has a promotion freeze at LAPD so Senior Lead Officer positions can be filled. No wonder Chief Bratton is leaving.

Councilmember Ed Reyes did not even know that Cypress Park has not had a permanent Senior Lead Officer for a very long time and there is no money for a promotion to get one in the area. Shame, shame, shame on them. And, shame for lying about raising trash fees for more police. Shame, shame, shame on them for lying. Cypress Park is an area that really needs a permanent Senior Lead Officer.

[Peter]

I applaud this joint local/federal police counter terrorism effort. It's unfortunate that it took the murder of a police officer to finally get the LAPD involved but it is good to know that we now have an administration in Washington DC that is really comitted to fighting domestic terrorism and not just talking about it. I hope this will be repeated, soon, in cities all over the country.

I also hope these gang members will be incarcerated in federal prisons as the gangs are clearly in charge of the California prison system and have been for years.

[jerry]

what a waste of tax payers money..sure they got many of these guys, but @ the end, their replacements are still going to continue doing the same things. they should have used that money for after school programs or job placement programs. i'm sorry, but me growing up on this neighborhood, UNDERSTAND that WANT it or not THIS will always be a way of living IN the "HOOD". With all honesty, these people dont bother w me nor i bother w them. if they messed w you is because more likely you look like a "bangger" or you asked for it. i think i'm more afraid of BIG BROTHER and the Police themselves.

[GPresident]

Even though I was awaken by the loud noise, I am proud of our law enforcement agencies who came by to take away these low life gang members away from the streets. Unfortunately, there are two schools right here and seeing these children grow up to this violent community is horrible. I am glad this raid happened, again!!!!
THANK YOU LAPD, SHERRIFF'S DEPT. AND EVERYONE THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS RAID!

[Citizen]

Why 1200 officers to pick up 44 bangers? Because they have been known to pack AK's and fire at cops in the middle of the day. Good enough reason for me to ask for back up if I was asked to go pick one of these bangers up. Good job for waking up California. Maybe one day you can have a cup of coffee and really get the blood going in the veins . You need to crawl before you walk.....

[Deport them]

LAPD Most Wanted:

6 Asian
12 Black
21 White
167 Hispanic

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_11255121?source=rss_viewed

[Look at the numbers]

81% of the LAPD's Most Wanted criminals are Hispanic. 19% are Asian, Black or White. Draw your own conclusions.

[Random]

Al these gangs are too large to stop. This is just another photo op for the LAPD.

[LinaPet]

To move gangs out, more community members must participate with LAPD in the efforts. The reasons gangs prevail in these neighborhoods and not in more affluent ones is due to resident tolerance. Things like broken down cars, broken windows, bars, gates, fences, aggressive dogs, especially trash and illegal dumping, give the illusion that the neighborhood is unsafe and uncared for. These gang members will thrive in places like this. If more people were outside tending to their properties, observing suspicious activity, and reporting--and looking out for their neighbors, gangs would be forced out.

I agree with another comment--that we need surveillance cameras, as well. Especially in areas where there are convenience & liquor stores, and heavy tagging. But residents can document on their own, and their are plenty of ways to inconspiciously document activity. It's already happening with many in the area cooperating with law enforcement...just be subtle and safe about it.

We also need animal control to be more active--if people are breeding pitt bulls, cocks for fighting, allowing their aggressive dogs to terrorize innocent people passing on the sidewalk...all of these things are a breeding ground for fear and crime.

I disagree that this is not "terrorism" because these members do have an allegence to another organization they place above our government. They, and opportunistic advocacy groups say this is about race. This is not about race. This is about money, terror, organization, coersion, extortion, control, and territory, and attempts to overthrow any semblence of law and order our police force has in the area. This is what terrorists do, not merely drug dealers.

Step up--the City, State, Federal Government, and people need to be a lot less tolerant--and allow that intolerance to promote action. There's strength

[concerned]

i am pleased to see this happen. As a former correctional officer i do have to say that what happens community wise is only the beginning. The real war is in the prison system. yet, the prison system is being neglected and everyone on the outside seems to think that just because the "bad guys" have been arrested that their worries are over. Sorry, but this is false. If the state were to pay more attention as to the way our 50% corrupt prison system operates and what the actual goals are, then the first line of defense would actually be addressed. The community would be shocked to know exactly how much power these gang members (of all races) actually have while incarcerated. It is pretty scary.
and to add to the comment about china. We should send these serious offenders to the front lines of war. They want to play with guns and knives then there you go, they have a reason to play now. If they make it then they can be free in Iraq or Afghanistan

[LOL]

First of all, there are gang members-true however, we have a justice system albeit flawed but when someone does the time they are DONE paying their debt to society. Most Americans are too ignorant to know that portion of the law. Remember that the Department of Homeland Security just like Hitler's homeland security creation states the following "...An evil exists that threatens every man, woman and child of this great nation. We must take steps to insure our domestic security and protect our homeland." Sound familiar? Which of the following made the above quote: President George W. Bush, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Homeland Security Czar Tom Ridge, or Secretary of State Colin Powell?

The correct answer is none of the above. In 1922 Adolph Hitler, writing
about the creation of the German Gestapo wrote the above. What Hitler knew and every totalitarian government knows is that the way to gain additional power and control over the people is to have a major crisis which makes the people feel insecure and unsafe. The government then offers to protect the people from this �new� threat. All that is required is for the people to give up some of their liberties and freedoms.

How do we know that all of these people swept up in the raids are guilty of anything? We don't. First they are after the immigrants, then the gang members, then animal activists (termed terrorists by George Bush 2005) then others that they want to call unpatriotic and terrorists-then you to can be on the hit list.

"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me." is just one of many variations of a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. If not you then who?

[George]

One side has the resources to conduct such an operation, while the other has equal enough resources to give them reason to do so.

The motives can be traced back as far as the Times wants to reference. LAPD will have the Times join them for the raid party to capture some great photo opportunities and we can all bathe in the hate. We're at each others throats with opinions on a dog fight.

Stupid is as stupid does.

See you at the next championship fight. Don't forget your flags!

[RC]

I live on Weldon right at Drew St. I notice cops driving by every time I leave my house these days. And I'm glad. I hope this makes some real impact.

[Dave H]

LAPD crime rate

Child molestors in custody by percentage...

Hispanic 2%, Blacks 13%, White 79%.

Source, L.A.P.D crime log 77th station. ( X

Go back to Europe Mayflowers!!