Multi-county search targets robbery crew of Asian gang members

Published: Aug. 17, 2011 Updated: 8:22 p.m.
By SEAN EMERY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A Long Beach police investigation into a robbery crew of Asian gang members led to an early morning sweep by multiple law enforcement agencies in both Los Angeles and Orange counties Wednesday that resulted in 17 arrests, authorities said.

Numerous agencies served search warrants at 47 locations in both counties that turned up six handguns, methamphetamine, Ecstasy, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cash that authorities believe came from drug sales, as well as expensive stolen items from robberies and burglaries such as watches, computers, forged checks and information for identity theft, according to a Long Beach police news release.

First initiated by Long Beach detectives, the investigation also grew to encompass home-invasion robberies, burglaries and other thefts in several Orange County communities, police said. Among the agencies taking part in the search were the Westminster, Garden Grove and Fountain Valley police departments.

Authorities say both allied and rival gang members teamed up to commit the "lucrative" crimes. Investigators believe that about 19 members of five different Asian gangs were involved with the robbery crew.

The 17 people arrested in the operation are facing a variety of felony charges, including possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics for sale, elder abuse, forgery, fraud, and identity theft, along with probation and parole violations and outstanding warrants, police said.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/news/police-3 ... mbers.html