Police warn gang may stage rear-end collisions, assault motorists
By T.J. Pignataro - News Staff Reporter
Updated: 03/26/08 7:45 PM


A public alert was issued early this evening by Buffalo Police, warning that a gang could be staging rear-end collisions tonight on area roadways and then attacking drivers as part of an initiation ritual.

Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson called an emergency news conference at police headquarters just before 6:30 p.m. to make the announcement.

He said police received "credible information" late this afternoon suggesting that the initiation ritual could involve gang member recruits intentionally causing rear-end collisions and then robbing or assaulting the other driver.

Gipson suggested motorists be aware of their surroundings. If they do become involved in a rear-end collision, he suggested they drive to a well-lit area and immediately call 9-1-1 from a cellular telephone, if they have one. Gipson also suggested motorists stay in their vehicles and continue moving until police arrive.

The Central American gang involved is considered "very well armed" and dangerous. It has a history of violence in other parts of the country but is new to the Buffalo area, Gipson said.

"This is the first time we've heard of this gang making inroads into the area," Gipson said.

Gipson wouldn't provide the name of the gang so as not to give the gang "notoriety."

The gang is known to the FBI to be involved in violent activities such as murder, robbery, assault and extortion, as well as increasing involvement in retail theft, home invasions, burglaries and narcotics trafficking, according to FBI officials in North Carolina concerning the threat of the gang there in 2006.

tpignataro@buffnews.com

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/308523.html