Lightning-strike raids in DHS end with 120 arrested

Officials: Gang sweep a turning point for city

Marcel Honoré, Colin Atagi and Keith Matheny,
The Desert Sun • Desert Hot Springs, California
March 28, 2009

Many residents across Desert Hot Springs awoke just after dawn Friday to the startling pops of nearby flash-bang grenades, and neighbors' doors smashed open by battering rams.

But none of the residents likely knew the full scope of what had unfolded in those early moments.

Authorities had launched Operation Falling Sun — the largest and most comprehensive law enforcement operation in the history of Riverside County — in an effort to take back the west valley city from the decades-long grip of gangs, drugs and violent crime.

“I wanted these gang members in DHS to feel like the sun had fallen on them with this operation,â€