180 arrested, 34 weapons seized in AZ gang crackdown
Posted: Aug 10, 2015 8:07 AM PDT
Updated: Aug 10, 2015 8:07 AM PDT
By Phil Benson CONNECT
PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) -A 90-day, state-wide operation that wrapped up Saturday after targeting violent criminals with gang ties resulted in 180 arrests and the seizure of 34 weapons, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
Operation GRIT 2015 also saw law enforcement confiscate street drugs and clear 189 warrants. GRIT stands for Gang Research, Intelligence and Targeting.
Police agencies from Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties focused on gang members and their associates across Arizona, including fugitives wanted for felony crimes, including homicide, robbery, rape, dangerous drugs, and assault.
Of the 180 fugitives arrested, five were wanted for murder, 33 for aggravated assault, eight for sex offenses and sex assaults and 28 for firearms-related violations.
Law enforcement agencies provided several examples of career criminals and violent gang members targeted during this operation.
On May 13, Johnny Salvador Ruiz and Armida Villareal were arrested in Phoenix. Ruiz was wanted on charges of attempted murder, participation in a criminal street gang, assisting a criminal street gang, aggravated assault and misconduct involving weapons..
On June 10, Roger Tyrone Porter, a documented member of a criminal street gang, was arrested in Chandler. Porter was wanted on charges of attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery. Officers said Porter picked up the victim on June 4 and drove him to an area where he allegedly shot the victim three times and then told the victim "he might as well die" because Porter knew where his family lived.
On June 26, Steven Rodriguez was arrested in Tucson by the Tucson Police Department and charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping. Rodriguez had been identified by police as one of three men who allegedly committed a "take-down" style armed robbery at a Tucson barbershop.
On July 10, Marco Mejia-Luna was arrested in Tucson. Luna was wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and armed robbery in a carjacking incident.
"This joint law enforcement effort to deter and dismantle street level criminal gang activity makes our communities safer and sends the message that such activity will not be tolerated here," DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead, said.
In fiscal year 2013, the latest year numbers were available, U.S. Marshals-led task forces arrested more than 110,000 federal, state, and local fugitives.
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