11 suspected gang members arrested in, around Loveland following 5-day operation
Loveland Connection staff • May 3, 2010

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Loveland Police Department made 11 arrests during a five-day operation targeting people with ties to violent criminal street gangs in and around Loveland.

This is the latest local effort in an ongoing national ICE initiative to target foreign-born gang members and gang associates, according to a press release issued by the Loveland Police Department.

The multiagency operation, which ended April 30, targeted gang members and associates engaging in organized criminal activity, according to the press release.

All of the individuals arrested as part of this operation are documented gang members or associates of either the Sureños or Bloods criminal street gangs.

Of those arrested, seven were from Mexico and four are U.S. citizens. The individuals in custody are charged with administrative immigration violations and are facing deportation.

The U.S. citizens with outstanding warrants were arrested and booked into the Larimer County jail.

All 11 of the individuals arrested during the five-day operation have prior criminal histories including: cruelty toward a child, domestic violence, theft, distribution/possession of controlled substances, assault, residential burglary, forgery, and possession of forged instruments.

"Street gangs are responsible for committing a significant amount of crime in our neighborhoods and communities," said Kumar C. Kibble, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Denver. "ICE and the Loveland Police Department have a common goal of reducing threats to the public, and removing criminal transnational gang members contributes to that overall goal."

Turned over to the Loveland Police Department was:
• Eduardo Cortez-Hernandez, 34, of Mexico on 2 outstanding arrest warrants for domestic violence. He will face local charges before being returned to ICE custody for removal proceedings. Cortez-Hernandez has previous arrests for disorderly conduct, driving on a suspended/revoked license, assault, domestic violence, harassment, failure to appear, and contempt of court for failing to comply.

Loveland Police Chief Luke Hecker said “We are very thankful for the joint effort between our agency and ICE. This was a successful operation clearly demonstrating our resolve in reducing the number of gang members in our community.â€