Behind the Badge
Sometimes being in the right place at the right time has its benefits. The Fullerton Police Department’s Gang Unit continues to take dangerous gang members off the streets by doing just that as often as possible.
An example of this occurred at 11:30 p.m. in early September. The unit arrested three documented gang members from Fullerton on suspicion of assaulting and robbing a man who they believed to be part of a rival gang.
Detectives were traveling west in two unmarked cars on Valencia Drive towards Highland Avenue when they spotted two groups of young men running in two different directions from a fast-food restaurant.
Detectives thought something didn’t look right.
Believing that a crime may have just occurred, the detectives, driving in teams of two, chased after both groups in their respective vehicles and then on foot.
A team of detectives caught and detained two suspects and the other team caught a third suspect.
During the investigation, the detectives learned that the gang members approached a man outside the restaurant who was wearing an Angels baseball cap.
To some gang members, wearing an Angels logo may be a sign that he is possibly part of an Anaheim gang. From their investigation, detectives learned that the suspects confronted the victim to find out what gang he was from because of his attire.
“There was a very brief conversation and they just started assaulting the victim,” said Gang Unit Sgt. Tony Rios, who was at the scene.
Two 16-year old males and an 18-year old male were arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and robbery after it was determined that the suspects took some of the victim’s property from him during the confrontation and assault.
The charges include gang enhancements for committing the crimes on behalf of a street gang, Rios said.
“It was a good arrest for us because it helps us to deter a lot of that crime that occurs in that area,” he said.
