Police Arrest Seven in Gang Sweep
Some Charged with Robbery, Others with Drug Possession or Parole Violation
Early in the morning on October 10, Santa Barbara police carried out a sweep of the city, resulting in the arrest of seven suspected gang members.
Christian Botello, who allegedly stabbed another gang member in 2007, was arrested for robbery and committing a crime while a member of, and in furtherance of, a criminal street gang.
Marcial Garcia was also arrested for robbery and committing a crime while a member of, and in furtherance of, a criminal street gang.
Juan Gomez, who was the victim of a gang stabbing last year, was also arrested for robbery and committing a crime while a member of, and in furtherance of, a criminal street gang.
Jaoquin Perez was arrested Wednesday on marijuana charges along with a parole violation.
Ronald Contreras was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and a parole violation.
Giovanny Torres was arrested for a parole violation.
A 17-year-old male was arrested whose name is being withheld.
The three robbery charges were the result of an incident in August; the victim was not gang-affiliated. A fourth suspect has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
On September 30, police responded to a call of shots fired at an address on the 1200 block of Punta Gorda Avenue. Yesterday, during the sweep, police deployed a Bearcat armored vehicle to ensure a safe search of the same address. Police recovered a quarter pound of cocaine and over $10,000 in cash.