Anchorage police officer was shot as many as five times

Anchorage police officer who was shot as many as five times over the weekend, a police spokesman said Sunday as detectives chased leads on his attackers.No arrests have been made in what police are calling an ambush on 47-year-old Officer Jason Allen on Saturday in Fairview.Police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said Allen's wife "said he was still in quite a bit of pain, but he's able to respond and talk to people and talk to his family."A dark-colored sedan pulled up alongside Allen's patrol car just before 2 a.m. on Medfra Street, between 14th and 15th avenues, according to police. A man opened fire with what appeared to be a handgun, police say. Allen's bulletproof vest stopped at least some of the shots, Parker said.
Detectives worked on the case in shifts on Saturday, interviewing witnesses and canvassing the neighborhood. On Sunday, homicide and robbery and assault investigators were following leads and looking for additional tips -- no matter how small -- from the public, Parker said.Police are putting extra effort into finding the attacker or attackers given the brazen nature of the shooting, Parker said. "He's bold enough to shoot a police officer, who he knows is armed, in ambush.
Allen was about three hours into his shift at the time of the shooting, Parker said. The officer had spent roughly 45 minutes at a nearby home on an unrelated call, according to a neighbor. Police don't believe the shooting was connected to anything that happened earlier in the shift, Parker said.The surprise attack on Allen follows a string of police officers killed in western Washington since Oct. 31. Five Anchorage Police Department employees had recently attended a funeral for some of the slain officers and were briefed on how the Washington cases were solved, Parker said. At a Saturday news conference, Lt. Dave Koch said video evidence played a role in solving the Halloween attack, noting police are also reviewing video related to the Fairview shooting. Police have declined to say where the footage comes from.
Authorities suspect the Washington state shootings on Oct. 31 and Nov. 29 were each committed by single gunmen. The first, Christopher Monfort, is facing murder and attempted-murder charges and has been accused by prosecutors of waging a "one-man war" against police, according to The Associated Press.The other, Maurice Clemmons, is dead. A Seattle police officer shot him two days after Clemmons gunned down four Lakewood officers in a coffee shop.Koch said Allen appeared to be targeted because he was a police officer.After the shooting, Medfra Street residents wondered if the attack was somehow gang-related. "That will be something that will certainly be part of the investigation, but we don't know yet," Parker said. Sharon Chamard is the Fairview Community Council president and an associate professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center. When she's not teaching classes to aspiring police officers and lawyers, she sometimes drives the neighborhood as part of the local community patrol.While Chamard used to say Anchorage didn't have a gang problem, she's not so sure about that now.Still, she said she hasn't seen signs of gang activity in Fairview, where Medfra is one of the main arteries for pedestrians and cars. "I think of Fairview as generally quite a safe neighborhood," Chamard said.
Sgt. Denny Allen, no relation, supervises the Community Action Policing Team, which has been working with community leaders to try to improve Spenard and Fairview. "We're going to be really hitting the street and see if we can dig up some leads on this," he said.He's baffled by the motive, which could be anything from a copycat shooter to gang activity to retribution, Allen said.

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Johnathan Lawrence was died instantly when he was shot in the head.

Johnathan Lawrence was died instantly when he was shot in the head.
Today Ricky Johnson went back to the spot where Lawrence fell."He had a good spirit and he was a good hearted type of guy," says Johnson.Chattanooga police say his heart stopped when a fight between two men got out of control. Detectives say a man named Anthony Russell threw a bottle at Montez Davis' car. Davis circled around the parking lot, started shooting at Russel but hit Lawrence instead.Police say after that Davis, drove a block away to his house on Tunnel Boulevard. That's when someone, drove by and started shooting at the home. And police say Davis and people inside started shooting back.While police were investigating these two shootings...another person was shot close by."During that process a lady who was driving down the street was shot as she drove North on Tunnel Boulevard," says Jerri Weary, Spokesperson for Chattanooga Police.Davis is now charged with first degree murder, reckless endangerment, and felony possession of a weapon.

"He is a validated gang member but we dont know if this was gang related as of yet," says Weary.

Several people tell us Johnathan Lawrence was turning his life around to become a devoted church member and father.
Now at 42 years old, he's dead and will never get that chance."Somebody has to step up and do something because its happeneing too often we can sit around and say you hear about so and so getting killed but what have we done to make a difference," says Johnson.Right now police are still looking for the person who shot the second victim in the hand. They haven't figured out whether it's related to the shooting killing Lawrence. Detectives say more arrests are likely.

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Invited 50 known gang members, both Norteños and Sureños, to attend two Ceasefire call-ins

Invited 50 known gang members, both Norteños and Sureños, to attend two Ceasefire call-ins scheduled this month, Deputy Chief Kelly McMillin announced Monday.

"They are probationers, parolees, two-strikers, very high-risk individuals who are in our community," McMillin said.
Ceasefire aims to reduce gang violence by giving gang members an ultimatum to give up their criminal ways or face prosecution and hard time. Those taking part in the program are offered employment opportunities and training.
"It's not going to stop violence tomorrow," McMillin said. "The evidence says that we should see, in relatively short order, some reduction in violence."
He said violent crime has dropped by 30 to 70 percent in other places that have adopted the Ceasefire program.
Sgt. Sheldon Bryan said police have a list of up to 160 gang members who would qualify to take part.
"We'll eventually go through the entire list," he said. About 20 to 25 people are expected to participate in each call-in.
The call-ins are not open to public, he said.
Participants will hear from several officials, including CalStar pilots, medical workers, social workers and clergy.
The Ceasefire program is paid for in part by a $357,021 matching grant from the state. The money is part of $9.2 million in anti-gang-related funding announced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in March.
Salinas was one of five cities chosen for the new state initiative, which is based on a program created in Boston in 1993 and since adopted by other cities.

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Mario Chingo,alleged MS-13 gang member is charged with stabbing a rival 18th Street gang member

alleged MS-13 gang member is charged with stabbing a rival 18th Street gang member during an early-morning fight Sunday in the South End.Mario Chingo, 23, of 92 Nelson St., was arraigned Monday in New Bedford District Court on assault and robbery charges.Chingo, a reputed MS-13 gang member, is accused of trying to rob Carlos P. Benito, 32, outside the Escondinho Bar at 110 County St. just after 1 p.m. Sunday. Benito told police that Chingo stabbed him in the chest and leg after trying to rob him, court records said.New Bedford police were interviewing Benito at St. Luke's Hospital when Chingo arrived in the emergency room with a cut on his left hand, court records said.Chingo told police that Benito was an 18th Street gang member and that Benito attacked him first. Chingo said Benito slashed him in the face with a knife after approaching him outside the bar. Chingo had a superficial laceration on his face, court records said.Based on Chingo's statements, New Bedford police obtained an application for criminal complaint seeking assault charges on Benito, court records said.Chingo is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and armed assault to rob. Judge Bernadette Sabra released him Monday on personal recognizance

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Arrested Prentiss Earl Jackson, 18, of Orlando, who goes by the nickname "Dollar."

Arrested Prentiss Earl Jackson, 18, of Orlando, who goes by the nickname "Dollar." He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of aggravated battery and aggravated assault.The motive for the slayings appears to be gang-related and might have involved drugs or even a possible hit, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said at a news conference Monday."This is probably one of the most confusing and convoluted stories I've ever come across," Gee said.
Among the evidence that suggests a gang connection: letters that had been mailed to the Oakwood Avenue home from certified gang members. Included in those letters, Gee said, were Bloods gang bylaws that "identified rules if you were a member of the gang."Deputies are still searching for the man they say stabbed the incident's lone survivor. Deputies issued a warrant last week for Esteban Merchan, 19, on a charge of aggravated battery in the attack of Ralph Arroyo, 21.Investigators say Jackson, Merchan and three other people drove west on Interstate 4 in a red Mercury Cougar, stopping to buy gloves and other items to disguise themselves. They arrived at the Oakwood Avenue home about midnight Dec. 28 for a prearranged meeting. Fifteen minutes later, the first shots rang out.Prentiss Jackson, 18, was being held in the Osceola County jail on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated assault, according to jail records. Jackson was wanted in the Dec. 29 shooting and stabbing in a Brandon-area backyard.Hillsborough residents Rafael Guadalupe, 21, Tony Black, 22, and Vincent Thomas, 22, were found dead in the Oakwood Avenue South attack.Ralph Arroyo, 21, was stabbed but survived. Three people were killed and another was injured in the shooting and stabbing.
Hillsborough County deputies were called to the house shortly after midnight, when one of Thomas' relatives heard shots and called authorities.Witnesses said several suspects approached the victims in the backyard, argued with people there, then attacked. Thomas and Black were fatally shot. Guadalupe was stabbed.The suspects fled northbound in a red Ford Mustang, which was later recovered by Orange County deputies.Esteban Merchan, 19, of Kissimmee, is being sought in the attack. He is described as between 160 and 170 pounds with brown eyes and short black hair. Investigators think he is a member of the Bloods street gang.Merchan is possibly driving a four-door, 2009 silver Toyota Prius. Its tag number is V808SD.
Merchan faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release. Investigators think he attacked the surviving victim.Jackson was arrested Friday by Osceola County deputy sheriffs, according to jail records.
Arroyo was in a car at the scene. Jackson ordered Arroyo out of the car at gunpoint, and Arroyo suffered a superficial stab wound to the head before he escaped by running into the woods, Gee said.
Merchan likely fled to New York, where he has friends. He is a member of the Bloods, the same gang as 22-year-old victim Tony Black, the sheriff's office said. Vincent Thomas, 22, and Rafael G. Guadalupe, 21, also died in the attack at 507 S. Oakwood Ave.The three others in the Mercury have been identified, but Gee wouldn't disclose their names. He did not identify the trio as suspects or witnesses.
Someone stabbed Guadalupe in the back yard "multiple, multiple times," killing him, Gee said.Merchan, whose last known address was in Kissimmee, is Hispanic, 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 160 to 170 pounds. He has short black hair and brown eyes. The sheriff's office said he may be driving a 2009 silver, four-door Toyota Prius with the license number V808SD.Thomas lived at the home with his wife and two children. Friends of Thomas say they don't think he was affiliated with gangs. He was a school bus driver for Armwood High School

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Eleven persons died by the gun, including three by police bullets, in the first two days of the New Year

Eleven persons died by the gun, including three by police bullets, in the first two days of the New Year, as the Grim Reaper set a blistering start to 2010.Although Sunday was relatively calm up to the Observer’s press time last night, the 11 deaths had already surpassed the six reported in the first three days of 2009, based on police reports.The latest murder is that of 44-year-old taxi driver, Norris Williams of Birdsucker Lane, in St Andrew, whom police say was operating his Toyota Corolla motor car about 9.23 pm in the Pinkneys Green community, when explosions were heard and a man seen running from the vehicle.Residents found Williams’ body slumped over the steering wheel. The police were summoned and processed the crime scene before removing Williams’ body to the morgue.Thirty minutes before that incident, homicide investigators were called to the scene in Waterford, St Catherine where the body of an unidentified woman was found.Police responding to a call from residents who heard explosions, found the woman’s lifeless body with several bullet wounds.The woman is believed to be about 27 years old, of brown complexion, medium build and about five feet six inches tall.Her body was clad in blue jeans, floral blouse and orange slippers.Dave Henry was at his home on Saturday in the hotbed community of Norwood in St James when he was attacked and peppered with bullets. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.Joel Johnson, who lived in Pleasant Hill, St Mary, was murdered about 2am on Saturday at Lissant Road in Kingston. Police were again summoned to the community after residents reported hearing explosions. Johnson’s body was found on the road with several gunshot wounds. He died on the spot.
Head of Operations in the Constabulary, Glenmore Hinds told the Observer that the Police High Command had launched an investigation into all aspects of the recent Black and White Party which was held at the National Arena on New Year’s Eve and ended in the death of 31-year-old Patrick McDonald.McDonald, also called ‘Kingman’, of Brooklyn Avenue, Cromarty, St Catherine, was shot four times in the head as he attempted to leave the popular dance.Reports are that he had a tiff with other patrons earlier and was targeted as he left. Police say McDonald was a major player in the ‘Lynch Mob’ gang which has been creating havoc in sections of St Catherine. He was also wanted in connection with several shooting incidents involving the police in that parish.Michael Thomas, 29, of Comfort in Manchester is also listed among the New Year’s weekend dead. Thomas was involved in a dispute with a group of men on New Year’s morning. The men drew guns and shot him. He was taken to the Mandeville Regional Hospital where medical staff pronounced him dead.

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Western Cape police three adults were shot in a gang-related incident

Two minors and three adults were shot in a gang-related incident over the weekend, Western Cape police said on Monday.Mfuleni police spokesperson Captain Nomathemba Muavha said two members of the "26" gang went to the house of a member of the "28" gang on Friday, and shooting broke out."They shot a 17-year-old boy in the left side of the chest, a 15-year-old girl - who was outside the house - behind the ear and a lady who was trying to get the children into the house in the leg," said Muavha.The gangsters then ran to Kabega Street where they shot (in the back) a man who police suspected was a friend of members of the "28" gang.

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Carlos Beltran Leyva was arrested in the Pacific coast state Sinaloa

Carlos Beltran Leyva was arrested in the Pacific coast state Sinaloa, where he and several of his brothers were born and allegedly started their gang. A judge ordered him held for at least 40 days while officials investigate possible charges of organized crime, the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement Sunday.His capture came just two weeks after his brother Arturo, known as “the boss of bosses” of the cartel, was killed in a shootout with marines at a luxury apartment in the city of Cuernavaca.Carlos Beltran’s arrest gave Calderon back-to-back victories in the drug war and underscored the government’s determination to destroy the cartel despite the threat of reprisal attacks. Days after Arturo Beltran was killed, gunmen massacred the mother and three other relatives of the only marine who died in the Dec. 16 shootout in Cuernavaca.Calderon vowed he would not be intimidated. However, authorities were far quieter in announcing Carlos Beltran’s capture, waiting three days to make the arrest public in a terse statement Saturday night.
A third brother, Alfredo, was arrested in January 2008. At least one other Beltran Leyva brother, who officials say could be named Mario or Hector, remains at large. He is listed as one of Mexico’s 24 most-wanted drug lords, with a $2 million reward offered for his capture.The downfall of Beltran Levya brothers comes a year after a sweeping corruption probe led to the arrest of a dozen high-ranking Mexican officials accused of collaborating with the cartel. They included Mexico’s former drug czar Noe Ramirez, who allegedly received $450,000 a month from Arturo Beltran in exchange for sensitive information.

“The long suit of the Beltran Leyva was in intelligence, and they had lots of contacts with the intelligence officials,” said George W. Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. “They got the big shots … who were on the take from the Beltran Leyva family, and that really was their strength.”

Mexican officials in the past have described Carlos Beltran Levya, 40, as a key member of the gang, but he is not on the government’s most-wanted list and prosecutors have not revealed any significant current indictments against him.“He’s the lowest profile of the brothers,” Grayson said. “The scuttlebutt is that Hector, who is still at large, is really the brains behind the outfit.”Chance and Mexico’s intelligence system appeared to have led to Beltran Leyva’s capture.
The Attorney General’s Office said a citizen tipped authorities to the presence of an armed man in the Canadas neighborhood of Culiacan. Beltran Leyva gave federal police a driver’s license that identified him as Carlos Gamez Orpineda, but when the police ran the document by Mexico’s Center of Intelligence they learned it was false.
He later acknowledged he was Arturo Beltran Leyva’s brother, the Public Safety Department said. Police said he was found with two guns and ammunition.The Beltran Leyva brothers allegedly worked side by side with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, before breaking away in recent years and seizing lucrative drug routes in northeastern Mexico.While a victory for the government, the success against the Beltran Leyva brothers could empower the Sinaloa cartel and other rival gangs, Grayson said.The Beltran Leyvas had increasingly relied for protection on the Zetas, a gang led by former soldiers-turned-hit men who also work with the Gulf cartel, he said.“The Zetas may now move against the Beltran Leyva and take them over, saying, ‘You are now taking orders from us, or we’ll kill you,’” Grayson said. “The good news is you’ve got a bad guy behind bars. The bad news is that this may enhance the Zetas.”That possibility raises fears of even bloodier turf battles in a drug war that has already claimed more than 15,000 lives since Calderon took office in 2006.In a possible sign of that fight, the bound, beaten bodies of two men were found Wednesday hanging by their necks from a highway overpass in the Sinaloa town of Los Mochis.Nearby, a message was written on a piece of cardboard: “This territory already has an owner.” The message appeared to be from the Beltran Leyva cartel.Authorities have blamed the Zetas for killing the marine’s relatives in retaliation for Arturo Beltran’s death.On Sunday, prosecutors in eastern Tabasco state, where the family was killed, announced the capture of three suspected Zetas who allegedly acted as lookouts during the attack. Four other alleged Zetas accused of playing secondary roles were arrested last week, but the killers remain at large
,capture of a reputed kingpin following the death of his brother has knocked out most of a brutal drug trafficking dynasty after a Mexican crackdown on corruption stripped the Beltran Leyva cartel of many snitches within security forces.Carlos Beltran Leyva was arrested in the Pacific coast state Sinaloa, where he and several of his brothers were born and allegedly started their gang. A judge ordered him held for at least 40 days while officials investigate possible charges of organized crime, the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement Sunday.His capture came just two weeks after his brother Arturo, known as “the boss of bosses” of the cartel, was killed in a shootout with marines at a luxury apartment in the city of Cuernavaca.Carlos Beltran’s arrest gave Calderon back-to-back victories in the drug war and underscored the government’s determination to destroy the cartel despite the threat of reprisal attacks. Days after Arturo Beltran was killed, gunmen massacred the mother and three other relatives of the only marine who died in the Dec. 16 shootout in Cuernavaca.Calderon vowed he would not be intimidated. However, authorities were far quieter in announcing Carlos Beltran’s capture, waiting three days to make the arrest public in a terse statement Saturday night.A third brother, Alfredo, was arrested in January 2008. At least one other Beltran Leyva brother, who officials say could be named Mario or Hector, remains at large. He is listed as one of Mexico’s 24 most-wanted drug lords, with a $2 million reward offered for his capture.The downfall of Beltran Levya brothers comes a year after a sweeping corruption probe led to the arrest of a dozen high-ranking Mexican officials accused of collaborating with the cartel. They included Mexico’s former drug czar Noe Ramirez, who allegedly received $450,000 a month from Arturo Beltran in exchange for sensitive information.
“The long suit of the Beltran Leyva was in intelligence, and they had lots of contacts with the intelligence officials,” said George W. Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. “They got the big shots … who were on the take from the Beltran Leyva family, and that really was their strength.”Mexican officials in the past have described Carlos Beltran Levya, 40, as a key member of the gang, but he is not on the government’s most-wanted list and prosecutors have not revealed any significant current indictments against him.

“He’s the lowest profile of the brothers,” Grayson said. “The scuttlebutt is that Hector, who is still at large, is really the brains behind the outfit.”Chance and Mexico’s intelligence system appeared to have led to Beltran Leyva’s capture.
The Attorney General’s Office said a citizen tipped authorities to the presence of an armed man in the Canadas neighborhood of Culiacan. Beltran Leyva gave federal police a driver’s license that identified him as Carlos Gamez Orpineda, but when the police ran the document by Mexico’s Center of Intelligence they learned it was false.
He later acknowledged he was Arturo Beltran Leyva’s brother, the Public Safety Department said. Police said he was found with two guns and ammunition.The Beltran Leyva brothers allegedly worked side by side with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, before breaking away in recent years and seizing lucrative drug routes in northeastern Mexico.While a victory for the government, the success against the Beltran Leyva brothers could empower the Sinaloa cartel and other rival gangs, Grayson said.The Beltran Leyvas had increasingly relied for protection on the Zetas, a gang led by former soldiers-turned-hit men who also work with the Gulf cartel, he said.“The Zetas may now move against the Beltran Leyva and take them over, saying, ‘You are now taking orders from us, or we’ll kill you,’” Grayson said. “The good news is you’ve got a bad guy behind bars. The bad news is that this may enhance the Zetas.”That possibility raises fears of even bloodier turf battles in a drug war that has already claimed more than 15,000 lives since Calderon took office in 2006.In a possible sign of that fight, the bound, beaten bodies of two men were found Wednesday hanging by their necks from a highway overpass in the Sinaloa town of Los Mochis.Nearby, a message was written on a piece of cardboard:

“This territory already has an owner.”

The message appeared to be from the Beltran Leyva cartel.Authorities have blamed the Zetas for killing the marine’s relatives in retaliation for Arturo Beltran’s death.On Sunday, prosecutors in eastern Tabasco state, where the family was killed, announced the capture of three suspected Zetas who allegedly acted as lookouts during the attack. Four other alleged Zetas accused of playing secondary roles were arrested last week, but the killers remain at large
where he and several of his brothers were born and allegedly started their gang. A judge ordered him held for at least 40 days while officials investigate possible charges of organized crime, the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement Sunday.

His capture came just two weeks after his brother Arturo, known as “the boss of bosses” of the cartel, was killed in a shootout with marines at a luxury apartment in the city of Cuernavaca.

Carlos Beltran’s arrest gave Calderon back-to-back victories in the drug war and underscored the government’s determination to destroy the cartel despite the threat of reprisal attacks. Days after Arturo Beltran was killed, gunmen massacred the mother and three other relatives of the only marine who died in the Dec. 16 shootout in Cuernavaca.

Calderon vowed he would not be intimidated. However, authorities were far quieter in announcing Carlos Beltran’s capture, waiting three days to make the arrest public in a terse statement Saturday night.

A third brother, Alfredo, was arrested in January 2008. At least one other Beltran Leyva brother, who officials say could be named Mario or Hector, remains at large. He is listed as one of Mexico’s 24 most-wanted drug lords, with a $2 million reward offered for his capture.
The downfall of Beltran Levya brothers comes a year after a sweeping corruption probe led to the arrest of a dozen high-ranking Mexican officials accused of collaborating with the cartel. They included Mexico’s former drug czar Noe Ramirez, who allegedly received $450,000 a month from Arturo Beltran in exchange for sensitive information.“The long suit of the Beltran Leyva was in intelligence, and they had lots of contacts with the intelligence officials,” said George W. Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. “They got the big shots … who were on the take from the Beltran Leyva family, and that really was their strength.”Mexican officials in the past have described Carlos Beltran Levya, 40, as a key member of the gang, but he is not on the government’s most-wanted list and prosecutors have not revealed any significant current indictments against him.
“He’s the lowest profile of the brothers,” Grayson said. “The scuttlebutt is that Hector, who is still at large, is really the brains behind the outfit.”
Chance and Mexico’s intelligence system appeared to have led to Beltran Leyva’s capture.The Attorney General’s Office said a citizen tipped authorities to the presence of an armed man in the Canadas neighborhood of Culiacan. Beltran Leyva gave federal police a driver’s license that identified him as Carlos Gamez Orpineda, but when the police ran the document by Mexico’s Center of Intelligence they learned it was false.
He later acknowledged he was Arturo Beltran Leyva’s brother, the Public Safety Department said. Police said he was found with two guns and ammunition.The Beltran Leyva brothers allegedly worked side by side with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, before breaking away in recent years and seizing lucrative drug routes in northeastern Mexico.
While a victory for the government, the success against the Beltran Leyva brothers could empower the Sinaloa cartel and other rival gangs, Grayson said.
The Beltran Leyvas had increasingly relied for protection on the Zetas, a gang led by former soldiers-turned-hit men who also work with the Gulf cartel, he said.
“The Zetas may now move against the Beltran Leyva and take them over, saying, ‘You are now taking orders from us, or we’ll kill you,’” Grayson said. “The good news is you’ve got a bad guy behind bars. The bad news is that this may enhance the Zetas.”
That possibility raises fears of even bloodier turf battles in a drug war that has already claimed more than 15,000 lives since Calderon took office in 2006.
In a possible sign of that fight, the bound, beaten bodies of two men were found Wednesday hanging by their necks from a highway overpass in the Sinaloa town of Los Mochis.Nearby, a message was written on a piece of cardboard: “This territory already has an owner.” The message appeared to be from the Beltran Leyva cartel.
Authorities have blamed the Zetas for killing the marine’s relatives in retaliation for Arturo Beltran’s death.On Sunday, prosecutors in eastern Tabasco state, where the family was killed, announced the capture of three suspected Zetas who allegedly acted as lookouts during the attack. Four other alleged Zetas accused of playing secondary roles were arrested last week, but the killers remain at large

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Manitoba Warriors street gang member charged in a near-fatal stabbing

18-year-old Winnipeg gang associate — once accused of beating a stranger to death on the street during a chance encounter — is now being charged in a near-fatal stabbing whilefree on bail from the initial at tack. Paul Cherewick, 30, died on May 24, 2008, nine days after he was beaten with a baseball bat following an argument with a 16-year-old stranger. Police arrested the teen — who is linked to the Manitoba Warriors street gang — days later and charged him with second-degree murder. The youth was released on a $10,000 surety and several conditions, including a nightly curfew, in 2008. The same accused, now 18, was arrested on Jan. 1 after allegedly stabbing a 25-year-old man following a Winnipeg house party. The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition but has since been deemed stable. The teen, who remains in custody, has been charged with aggravated assault and breaching his youth bail conditions.

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United Nations gang drug house

day after targeting a drug house linked to the United Nations gang, Abbotsford police have announced the arrest of eight more suspected dealers linked to the Red Scorpion gang.Const. Ian MacDonald said the Abbotsford police and bike squads conducted a two-day project in the downtown core of the city targeting the dealers and their drug lines.Project Christmas Crack - Down led to seizures of crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, cash, weapons and cellular phones used in these drug operations, MacDonald said."The project also demonstrated that drug trafficking was taking place on or near school grounds and had clear connections to organized crime. Of the seven men and woman arrested the associations to the Red Scorpion Gang in particular were evident," he said."The intelligence gathered as a result of this project will be used for future police investigations and projects. The Abbotsford Police Department is expecting to make more arrests in the coming days."

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United Nations gang drug house

day after targeting a drug house linked to the United Nations gang, Abbotsford police have announced the arrest of eight more suspected dealers linked to the Red Scorpion gang.Const. Ian MacDonald said the Abbotsford police and bike squads conducted a two-day project in the downtown core of the city targeting the dealers and their drug lines.Project Christmas Crack - Down led to seizures of crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, cash, weapons and cellular phones used in these drug operations, MacDonald said."The project also demonstrated that drug trafficking was taking place on or near school grounds and had clear connections to organized crime. Of the seven men and woman arrested the associations to the Red Scorpion Gang in particular were evident," he said."The intelligence gathered as a result of this project will be used for future police investigations and projects. The Abbotsford Police Department is expecting to make more arrests in the coming days."

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Torturer Martin Hamilton is preparing for early release after nine years of a life sentence.

Torturer Martin Hamilton is preparing for early release after nine years of a life sentence.

"There will be a few people dreading the day he walks out of prison a free man."

Hamilton was flanked by two guards as he called on his mother for tea and biscuits on a home visit from Shotts Prison.He watched l ive coverage of the UK Snooker Championship at the old lady's Glasgow flat on Thursday before emerging at 3.15pm.
He was then driven back to Kerr House, a low-supervision wing at Shotts.
Ultra-violent Hamilton was jailed for life in 2000 for a catalogue of offences , including abduction, torture and drug-dealing.He was ordered to serve at least nine years before he could apply for parole.But the 49-year-old heroin baron and bank robber is now confident he'll be out soon after he was granted the right to enjoy two-hour home visits. he has been told he will train for his release at New Douglas Park, home of SPL club Hamilton Accies.Our source told us: "Hammy can't wait to get out of prison."He's been inside for a long time now and knows each day is a day closer to freedom."All he has to do is keep his nose clean and stay out of trouble."The home visits are the start of the process for Hammy and he chooses to go and visit his mum."She's getting on, and Hammy going to visit her is easier than her having to make the journey to Shotts."Hamilton was the most notorious gangland figure in Scotland during a reign of terror which lasted almost 20 years.
Before justice finally caught up with him, he walked free from TWELVE High Court indictments for crimes, including possession of firearms, a shooting, serious assault and robbery.Cases against him fell apart after witnesses were too afraid to give evidence against him, and preferred to be jailed for contempt of court instead.
But Hamilton was finally sent down at the High Court in Inverness - as armed police guarded every exit in the court building.Terrified witnesses were put in pol ice protection schemes and a news blackout on the trial was imposed.
Hamilton, of Anderston, Glasgow, was convicted of ordering the kidnap and torture of victims from the Edinburgh drug scene.Detectives say he was trying to take control of the capital's drug trade. Local dealers d ived for cover when he based himself in the capital 's Broomhouse area.Hamilton was found guilty of 14 charges, including several torture offences. Victims were set on fire, scalded with boiling water or stabbed in the face.In one horrific incident, a young couple were ordered to be stabbed in a bath so they wouldn't bleed all over the carpet of the flat where they were being held hostage.An attempt was made to gouge a man's eye out with a spoon and Hamilton also tried to cut a man's finger offwith a knife.
Hamilton was also convicted of being concerned in the supply of heroin and diazepam, threatening a man with violence and holding a knife to another man's throat and threatening to kill him.He was acquitted over the abduction of two men and offering them money for sex.Passing sentence, Lord Kingarth said:

"You showed yourself capable of taking sadistic pleasure in the infliction of pain and the inspiration of real terror over long periods.

"You pose a substantial danger to the public."Hamilton's co-accused, David Henderson, was jailed for six years.A third accused, Martin Byrne, 28, who gave evidence against Hamilton, admitted stabbing the teenage girl and boy in the face and was jailed for just three years.
Hamilton had already served a nine -year sentence for trying to rob the Dunferml ine Bui lding Society in Anniesland, Glasgow in 1992.And in 1990, he abducted notorious gangster Paul Ferris off the street.He bundled Ferris into a car on the orders of crime lord Arthur Thompson Snr, but released him when Thompson had a change of heart.Our source said: "Police were popping champagne when Hammy was sent down. They'd waited years to see him put away."Now they'll be wondering if they'll have to do it all over again when he gets out."

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Black Disciplines and the Gangster Disciples shootings

Eleven-year-old Aston Wise was shot and killed while sitting in a parked SUV with his dad, Ken Wise, who was critically wounded. Aston Wise was a passenger in a sport-utility vehicle parked on a South Shore street Friday night when a masked gunman opened fire with a shotgun, killing Aston and critically wounding his father.Aston, of the 6800 block of South East End Avenue, was shot in the head in the 7800 block of South Kingston, police said. He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.Ken Wise was critically injured after a masked gunman fired into his parked SUV Friday night, killing his son Aston.
Aston was a sixth-grader at Martha Ruggles Elementary School, 7831 S. Prairie, Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Monique Bond said.
Police Supt. Jody Weis said detectives are investigating if the shooting was connected to a relative with gang ties. Weis said Aston had a half brother in the Black Disciplines street gang and that there has been "low-key" conflict between the Black Disciplines and the Gangster Disciples. Police are also looking into the possibility of a carjacking, Weis said."We won't really know until we get a chance to talk with the father," Weis said. No arrests had been made as of Saturday night. About 8:25 p.m. Friday, a man wearing a black mask approached the passenger side of the SUV and fired several shotgun rounds into the vehicle, police said.
Aston's 42-year-old father, Kenneth Wise, suffered gunshot wounds in his side and back, but he managed to drive away before crashing into the Wee Care Nursery School at 1843 E. 79th St., police said. No one was in the school at the time, but the crash ruptured a gas line. The SUV also struck several parked cars and a water pipe.
Paramedics found Aston dead in the car and took his father to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

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Alexander Ian Rodriguez,Norteño gang member early this morning in Santa Rosa after he allegedly threw a .357-caliber revolver

Arrested a 19-year-old Norteño gang member early this morning in Santa Rosa after he allegedly threw a .357-caliber revolver into some bushes near a park. Officers responded to the report of a fight at Pear Blossom Park off of Edgewater Drive at about 3:15 a.m. The fight had dispersed by the time they arrived. They checked the area around the park to try to find the people involved in the brawl. Officer Jesse Whitten found someone about a block away from the park walking along a sidewalk. When the suspect, Alexander Ian Rodriguez, a Santa Rosa resident, saw the officer he allegedly threw the revolver into the bushes in front of a house, police said. Rodriguez was arrested for allegedly being felon in possession of
a firearm, possession of a concealed firearm and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed, according to police. Gang crime detectives identified Rodriguez as being a member of the Norteño gang and then also charged him with several gang enhancements

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33-year-old man was killed by Parañaque cops responding to an alleged gang war

33-year-old man was killed by Parañaque cops responding to an alleged gang war that erupted early morning Sunday.SPO1 Reynaldo Arojado said Celso de los Santos, a construction worker and resident of Malugay Street, Barangay San Martin de Porres, was shot dead near his home after he allegedly fired at members of police community precinct 3 at around 2 a.m.Initial investigation showed that two groups of men were in a scuffle when the cops arrived on the scene.Armed with an improvised gun (sumpak), De los Santos reportedly shot at the officers who were forced to return fire.The suspect was rushed to the Parañaque Doctors Hospital but was declared dead on arrival for multiple gunshot wounds.Arojado said the shooting would be investigated further. He added that cops have been pursuing those who took part in the gang war.

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Two mobsters called to testify in a Palermo trial didn't corroborate the testimony of a Mafia hitman

Two mobsters called to testify in a Palermo trial didn't corroborate the testimony of a Mafia hitman who last week said Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and a close associate gave the mob political reassurances in the early 1990s.The mobsters appeared Friday at the trial of an Italian senator and a former business associate of Mr. Berlusconi. Giuseppe Graviano, a Mafia boss who, along with his brother Filippo, is serving multiple life sentences for bombings and murder, declined to testify.Filippo Graviano told the court through a video link that he had never had any direct or indirect contact with the Italian senator on trial.The case is the appeals trial of Marcello Dell'Utri, a member of the Italian Senate. Mr. Dell'Utri was an employee of Mr. Berlusconi when the Italian billionaire ran his family's media empire.Prosecutors on Friday were expected to ask Giuseppe Graviano whether he could corroborate testimony given last week in the trial by hitman Gaspare Spatuzza, who said Mr. Graviano had told him that Messrs. Berlusconi and Dell'Utri had "practically put the country in our hands" before Mr. Berlusconi was elected to his first term as prime minister in the spring of 1994.
But Mr. Graviano -- who addressed the court through a video link -- invoked his right to remain silent. Mr. Graviano said he had sent a letter to the court explaining why he was unable to testify because of health reasons. He didn't elaborate on the letter or the health issues.Moments earlier, a judge had asked Filippo Graviano if he had ever had "direct or indirect" contact with Mr. Dell'Utri, and he responded: "No.Mr. Berlusconi isn't involved in the appeals trial, nor is he under investigation for any crime related to the Mafia. Lawyers for Messrs. Berlusconi and Dell'Utri have repeatedly denied any contact between their clients and members of the Graviano family.

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Scott Robert Sutton, Santa Barbara Chapter of the Hells Angels pleaded guilty

Scott Robert Sutton, Santa Barbara Chapter of the Hells Angels pleaded guilty Monday to being a felon in possession of a firearm and is expected to be put on five years probation when he is sentenced in January, according to prosecutor Derek Malan.
Scott Robert Sutton, 41, could get as much as three years behind bars if he fails to comply with the terms of his probation, said Malan. Sutton, of Ojai, will be sentenced Jan. 6.On Sept. 24, 2009, an officer with the Ventura Police Department saw a vehicle being driven by Sutton commit several traffic violations, according to Malan. Sutton failed to stop for five blocks, even after the officer had turned on his patrol car siren and lights. The officer said Sutton thew an “object” from his car. Officers later recovered a .32 caliber automatic handgun, a handgun magazine and six .32 caliber bullets, according to Malan.Sutton had been convicted of felony insurance fraud in 2002.

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new drug-peddling Canadian bikie gang called Rock Machine is threatening to establish its presence in Western Australia

"The Rock Machine outlaw motorcycle gang, like all outlaw motorcycle gangs represent a real and present threat to the Australian community," he said.new drug-peddling Canadian bikie gang called Rock Machine is threatening to establish its presence in Western Australia, beginning with a national run through Perth this weekend.Detective Superintendent Kim Papalia from the gang crime squad said Rock Machine - whose members are renowned for their violence and extortion - was re-emerging as a force in the USA and Australia after being absorbed by the Bandidos gang about nine years ago.Detective Papalia would not say how many members were in WA or how many would be embarking on the run, but he said Rock Machine posed a "significant public safety risk" and could lead to an "increase in tensions" with rival gangs. He was also tight-lipped about where Rock Machine would base itself in Perth.He said police had begun approaching people believed to be involved with the club, and hinted police could take a similar line to that adopted when the Finks went on their run through Perth several weeks ago."We don't know what they intend to do (in Perth) at the moment," Detective Papalia said, adding members from Canada could be involved in the run.Meanwhile, gang crime detectives hailed the "Phone in a bikie" campaign on June 23 a success and said it would be repeated next year after 400 calls yielded information that saw about $11 million in illicit drugs taken off Perth streets.
About 69 members of motorcycle clubs and their associates were charged by police and faced a total of 189 offences - including 43 for drug trafficking.
Rock Machine was formed in Montreal, Canada in the early 1990s and then spread its wings across the province of Quebec.Rock Machine was initially a drug-dealing organisation when it was started up byindependent drug dealers and notorious Montreal crime families.The group was set up to thwart one of the world's oldest bikie gangs, the Hells Angels, from trying to take over Montreal's street-level drug scene.What ensued was a bitter rivalry between Rock Machine - whose ethnicity comprised mostly French-Canadian members - and the Hells Angels between 1994 and 2002 in which 150 people were killed.As a result of the bloody turf war, Rock Machine turned into a motorcycle gang and it soon formed an alliance with the Texas-based Bandidos.Unlike other clubs that took pride in wearing leather vests bearing identifying patches, Rock Machine members were said to have only worn rings with the sign of an eagle on them.Detective Papalia confirmed some members wore such rings, but he would not speculate on the reasons why they would do this.
"They're an interesting organisation within the culture of outlaw motorcycle gangs," he said. "We are aware they wear different types of paraphernalia."In 2000, when the Bandidos took over Rock Machine, several members defected to the Hells Angels when the Bandidos did not grant full patch-wearing membership status to Rock Machine's junior members.The extent of Rock Machine's presence in Australia is not officially known. However, one suspected associate of the group was arrested in Sydney earlier this year after he allegedly drove a stretched limousine into a car and a shed and then assaulted police.Now, Rock Machine has an Australian chapter in Sydney as well as a presence across several states in the USA and Canada, but no longer in its old stomping ground of Quebec.Detective Papalia would not confirm if police sought information from their NSW counterparts or the Australian Crime Commission on Rock Machine, but said all law enforcement agencies both nationally and overseas constantly share information.He said he could not explain why Rock Machine - like dozens of other motorcycle clubs before them - became attracted to Perth."The Rock Machine outlaw motorcycle gang like all outlaw motorcycle gangs represent a threat to community safety," he said."They impact on public health through drug distribution and they also impact on the risk in the community through their overt and active involvement in violence and extortion."We will police Rock Machine on behalf of the community of this State to get that clear message, 'not here, not ever'."
Australian Crime Commission chief executive John Lawler said the agency refused to comment on the specific activities of criminal groups, including motorcycle clubs.


"Outlaw motorcycle gangs remain a visible criminal threat and continue to be quite rightly targeted by law enforcement throughout the country."

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Dominic Anderson, 22, and Abdullah Omar, 21, are charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder in the beating of 19-year-old Raymond Woodland

Dominic Anderson, 22, and Abdullah Omar, 21, are charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder in the beating of 19-year-old Raymond Woodland, who is accused of shooting their friend in the face during an argument at a birthday party at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel.According to charging documents, Anderson wrestled a TEC-9 semiautomatic firearm away from Woodland, then stood on the bed and struck him repeatedly with it in the face and head while Omar held him in a "sleeper hold." Omar was accidentally struck in the temple during the altercation, and both men stayed on the scene with their friend until police arrived.
Police said Anderson and Omar, who each have a handful of minor arrests but no convictions, face serious charges because they went too far. But at a bail review hearing Monday, a District judge disagreed and did not require the men to post bond, releasing them on their own recognizance. Woodland was in critical condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center with "severe life-threatening head trauma," charging documents say. If he recovers and is released from the hospital, police said he will face attempted murder charges in the shooting of 19-year-old Marquis Johnson.

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London home of the Outlaws biker gang was razed

London home of the Outlaws biker gang was razed yesterday, seven years after it was raided and boarded up in a province-wide sweep by police. Yesterday, as neighbours and police officers looked on, an excavator with a massive claw first knocked down a garage and then the clubhouse that's been a fixture at 420 Egerton St. since the 1980s. "It's become a real eyesore and I'm glad it's being torn down before somebody burns it or gets killed in it," said neighbour Cathy Cadman, 50, who's lived a few doors from the clubhouse since the summer of 1982. Once a popular neighbourhood variety store, the bikers moved into the building shortly after the store closed. The chapter's London president, Thomas Hughes, moved into an adjacent house at 434 Egerton -- it's also slated for demotion this week. Cadman said the bikers were never a problem, noting a shooting in January 2002 of a rival gang member outside the clubhouse just months before it was raided was the first major incident.
"We were always aware they were bikers," said Cadman. "But they were no trouble. They took out their garbage and cut their grass and they'd be friendly, waving and saying, 'Hello' if you saw them outside." The property was seized by the province under its proceeds of crime legislation and Civil Remedies Act. The city approved the province's application for demolition last week. Ward 4 Coun. Steve Orser has battled to have the building demolished for several years.
"I've had a steady stream of complaints about these buildings, including a rat infestation and other animals getting inside," he said. "It's taken a lot of work but it's finally coming down -- it's a great day for Old East Village." The debris in a garage visible from the street included a pinball machine, vinyl record albums and an Outlaws sign once visible on the front of the two-storey brick home.
The home was surrounded by a cinder block wall, the first-floor windows either bricked in or covered by steel security meshing. Orest Katolyk, manager of bylaw enforcement for the city, said the clubhouse and adjacent home were among the abandoned buildings targeted for enforcement after a rash of arsons in the area of empty buildings. "We had issues with this building being unsafe, especially the condition of the roof, and a building inspector confirmed the building was unsafe," Katolyk said. "Any building that's boarded up where the heat has been turned off rots from the inside out."

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Sentenced Jamal Shakir, leader of the Rollin' 90s Crips street gang, to life in prison

Sentenced Jamal Shakir, leader of the Rollin' 90s Crips street gang, to life in prison without the possibility of release on Monday for his role in the woman's death. Shakir was convicted of running a drug ring and money laundering operation that stretched from Tennessee to California.
Between 1994 and 1997, authorities said, Shakir killed or was involved in the murder of nine people, including Walker, who was 24 when she was shot in October 1996.
For his crimes, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Nixon handed Shakir 16 sentences of life without parole and nine more sentences of life without parole to be served consecutively with the first 16. He also got four additional sentences totaling 95 years.
If, for some reason, Shakir is released from prison, Nixon ordered that Shakir be placed on probation for the rest of his life.
Federal prosecutors said Shakir, 34, orchestrated the criminal acts from his East Nashville home. Some of the killings were intended to silence potential witnesses or exact revenge on those who had doublecrossed the gang.
Walker had worked as a drug courier for Shakir, according to court records. When a suitcase full of drugs belonging to her was confiscated at the Los Angeles airport, authorities said, Shakir wanted her dead so that he couldn't be tied to the narcotics.
Martin-Gibson raised her daughter's children, who are now 21 and 17, after the murder. Shakir also was convicted of kidnapping Martin-Gibson's brother in a gang-related dispute.
As relatives of his victims spoke Monday, Shakir listened against his will. He had tried to waive his appearance, but Nixon ordered him into the courtroom.
Shakir told the judge that he was convicted on flimsy evidence. He insisted he was not responsible for some of the murders.
"Everybody's come in here speaking of justice being served," Shakir said. "This whole process has been an injustice. … We was railroaded."
He interrupted Martin-Gibson's testimony to protest.
"We are still going on with our lives," she said. "Whether you get the maximum (sentence) or not, you are going to have to face God."

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East End Hells Angels,East End charter Hells Angels is a criminal organization

Punko will be sentenced the week of Jan. 18 and Potts will be sentenced Jan. 25.
Last month, Leask dealt a devastating blow to the Crown’s case at the pending drug trial when he ruled the Crown was prohibited from proceeding on criminal-organization charges against two Hells Angels members. Justice Peter Leask granted a defence application that the Crown cannot proceed at trial on charges that allege the East End chapter of the Hells Angels is a criminal organization. The defence argued that a jury at another trial that ended last summer acquitted Potts and Punko of the criminal-organization charges, so they should not be punished twice. Crown prosecutor Martha Devlin Devlin argued that the criminal-organization charges should not be dropped because the judge could not speculate on why the jury came to the verdict it did on the criminal organization charges. The judge agreed with the defence. “My decision is the Crown is estopped from leading evidence that the East End charter Hells Angels is a criminal organization,” he ruled. The Crown plans to appeal the judge’s ruling but is awaiting the judge’s reasons. Potts and Punkoi had faced a total of nine charges at trial, including two that alleged they directed the production and distribution of methamphetamine in association with or for the benefit of a criminal organization, namely the East End charter of the Hells Angels.
Punko pleaded guilty Monday to three charges on the indictment (Count 2, 3 and 4) and Potts pleaded guilty to four charges (Count 6, 7, 8 and 9), including two of cocaine trafficking in Surrey and New Westminster. The case marked the third failed prosecution on criminal-organization charges against the Hells Angels arising from the police investigation code-named E-Pandora, which ended in 2005 with the arrest of six Hells Angels and a dozen associates. A 10-month trial ended last July with the jury convicting Potts and Punko on weapons charges. The judge found Potts held the arsenal of weapons for the East End Hells Angels, including grenades, a loaded semi-automatic pistol and three other guns. Potts, 49, was sentenced to a seven years but effectively received a sentence of time served after being granted double credit for four years served in pre-trial custody. Punko, 43, was convicted of the unauthorized possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol and sentenced to 15 months in jail, plus a consecutive sentence of four years for counselling a police agent to do damage to a Surrey home where Punko was trying to collect a large amount of money from a man. It was effectively a sentence of time served but Punko was recently denied bail by Leask. Potts is free on bail

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Zig Zag Crew and Manitoba's Hells Angels chapter

Twenty-six people have been arrested and eight others are being sought in connection with a massive police sting targeting members and associates of the Zig Zag Crew and Manitoba's Hells Angels chapter, police say.So far, 24 have been formally charged, primarily with drug trafficking and proceeds of crime offences.It's the third time in less than four years Manitoba's largest police forces have conducted a project resulting in the arrests of local Hells Angels members and associates. The Zig Zag Crew is aligned with the local chapter.This investigation, led by the Manitoba integrated organized crime task force, is called Project Divide.So far, police have seized 165 ounces of cocaine, 12 ounces of methamphetamine, 12,000 tablets of ecstasy, one ounce of heroin, and seven pounds of marijuana.Firearms have also been seized.Today, members of the RCMP, Winnipeg police and other agencies raided several homes and businesses in Winnipeg and other communities, including a clubhouse belonging to Manitoba’s Hells Angels chapterHeavily-armed SWAT or tactical officers were involved in most, if not all of the raids, which occurred in several neighbourhoods, including Charleswood, Elmwood, the North End, Tuxedo and Weston, and the Rural Municipality of Headingley.Officers searched the Manitoba Hells Angels clubhouse on Scotia Street. Police also searched a used automobile dealership.

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Independent Soldiers gang founder was the intended target of the killers who executed Soomel

Raj Soomel was gunned down, a worker at his Vancouver halfway house mistakenly wrote in a log book that convicted kidnapper Randy Naicker had gone out to the corner store.Vancouver police officials said last month they believe the Independent Soldiers gang founder was the intended target of the killers who executed Soomel on Sept. 29.The gangster was convicted of kidnapping a gangster in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey in 2005, after $400,000 worth of pot went missing and two gangland associates were murdered.He was sentenced to five years behind bars

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Playboy Bloods pleaded guilty in federal court today

Delvin "D-Luv" Ward, 33, and Demichael "Mikey P" Burks, 25, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to engage in a racketeer-influenced and corrupt organization, Bogden said.Playboy Bloods pleaded guilty in federal court today to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges, said U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of Nevada.Sebastian "Rock" Wigg, 33, and Fred James "June P" Nix, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of drug conspiracy.All four men admitted that they are members of the Playboy Bloods, a criminal gang that operates in the Sherman Gardens Annex housing complex at H and Doolittle streets, Bogden said.The men admitted that members of the gang are involved in criminal racketeering acts, including murder, attempted murder, robbery and drug trafficking. They also said that the chief financial activity of the gang is narcotics trafficking.They also admitted that gang members distribute drugs from apartments and hotel rooms in their neighborhood, which are rented in others' names in exchange for drugs, Bogden said.Ward admitted that he operated drug houses at 1704 Curran Way, 1003, 10145 and 1016 Silverman Way, the Veterans of Foreign War Post at 1905 H St., and the Budget Suites, 4855 Boulder Highway. He said that he had distributed more than six ounces of crack cocaine.The plea agreement says that a sentence of nine years in prison is appropriate for Ward, if four others, Burks, Nix, Wigg and Terrence Thomas, plead guilty. If the other four do not plead guilty, the plea agreement says that a sentence of 10 years in prison is appropriate, Bogden said.Burks admitted that he operated drug houses at 1704 Curran and 1003 Silverman and that he had distributed more than three ounces of crack cocaine. The plea agreement says that a sentence of five years in prison is appropriate for Burks, as long as the other four plead guilty.Wigg admitted that he operated drug houses within Playboy Bloods turf, including 3834 Terrazzo Ave., and he had distributed more than an ounce of crack cocaine. The plea agreement says that a five-year prison sentence is appropriate for Wigg, if the other four plead guilty.
Nix admitted that he operated drug houses at 919 Silverman, 1003 Silverman and the Budget Suites and had distributed more than an ounce of crack cocaine. The plea agreement says that a five-year prison sentence is appropriate for Nix as long as the other four plead guilty.Ward, Burks, Wigg and Nix are scheduled for sentencing on March 15 before U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones.Ten members of the Playboy Bloods were indicted in October 2008 on charges of violence and drug trafficking as part of their membership in the gang. The other six are currently scheduled to go on trial on March 9. Those charges include allegations that Markette Tillman and Steven Booth murdered Sherman Gardens security guard Brian Wilcox on Jan. 20, 2004, as he rode his bicycle away from a disturbance, Bogden said.Jacorey Taylor, Reginald Dunlap and Steven Booth are accused of killing Billy Thomas on Nov. 1, 2004, in the parking lot of the Pecos Terrace Apartments, 3555 E. Lake Mead Blvd.The cases are being investigated by the FBI, North Las Vegas Police Department and Metro Police. Prosecutors are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Bliss and Nicholas D. Dickinson.

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Hedric "Edrik" Velez, 35, of Vernon,Drug source for Latin King gang members

Drug source for Latin King gang members who controlled cocaine sales in parts of Hartford was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday at U.S. District Court in New Haven.Federal prosecutors said that Hedric "Edrik" Velez, 35, of Vernon, received about 44 pounds of cocaine by mail from Puerto Rico between March 2008 and April 2009 and made about $40,000 in profit selling to gang members.Velez, who was arrested in April, is one of 55 people charged by Hartford police, state police and the FBI following a yearlong investigation of drug sales and violence in the Hartford area. He pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.In addition to the prison sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Peter C. Dorsey ordered Velez to submit to five years of supervision by the federal probation department upon his release from prison.Federal prosecutors said that Velez received kilogram packages of cocaine from Puerto Rico by U.S. mail. After learning about the deliveries through telephone wiretaps and from informants, federal agents intercepted the last delivery at Velez's home and arrested him on April 27. He has been in jail since.Velez supplied groups of Latin King drug dealers who distributed cocaine in the areas of Brownell Avenue and Broad, Arnold and Willard streets in Hartford.The sentencing of Velez, charged with supplying people who investigators say are affiliated with the Latin Kings gang, comes at a time when city officials in Hartford are downplaying reports that drug gangs might be re-establishing a foothold in the city. A fight between the Latin Kings and Los Solidos over drug sales in the 1990s created a wave of violence.Authorities, while building the case against Velez and the others, identified at least a dozen men who are described as members of the Latin Kings or Los Solidos.In memos filed in court, prosecutors said the Latin Kings were "a mostly fractured and disorganized entity with no clear and established leadership." However, the memos said that some of those arrested used their reputations as "established Latin King members" to control the drug supply in parts of the city

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Ladarrius Rogers, 17, of 3711 Dunlop St., Monroe, was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on charges of possession of a firearm by a street gang

Ladarrius Rogers, 17, of 3711 Dunlop St., Monroe, was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on charges of possession of a firearm by a street gang and illegal weapon possession.
The other suspect, 16, was booked into Green Oaks Detention Center. Because of his status as a minor, his identity and charges were not revealed.
According to an arrest affidavit, as police were investigating the shooting, they learned it involved three different gangs, Underground Soldiers, Black Out Boys, and 3 Unit.
On Monday, Rogers about the incident. Police asked the suspect if he had ever held or fired a gun. Rogers told police he had and described it as, "long and black."
Police showed Rogers a picture, supposedly taken Oct. 24 of him holding a sawed-off shotgun with members of the 3 Unit gang and showing gang signs with his hands. Rogers told police he had held two guns with his friends from the gang but said the guns were not his.
Rogers also told police he was with the 3 Unit gang on the night of the shooting.
Bond was set at $15,000 each.
On Nov. 16, police arrested another suspect, Kevin Falcon, 17, of 1408 S. Fourth St., Monroe in relation to the incident. Falcon was arrested and booked into OCC on an attempted second-degree murder charge.
Police arrested two others on Nov. 14 on suspicion of attempted murder following the gang-related shooting.
Rahkeme Goree, 17, of 1957 Samuel Drive, and Jamarion Wade, 18, of 812 S. Sixth St., both of Monroe, were arrested and booked at OCC.

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street gangs in New York have found both a tailored purpose and practice for the Twitter.

The profile piece highlights how gang members, ambivalent to the fact that their tweets may be watched, are not only using Twitter() to purposefully and openly stir the pot with rival gangs, but are also using it to coordinate fights. These Twitterers attempt to avoid detection by using street lingo, but their activities are constantly being monitored by police and investigators.The story follows a recent incident where, according to the piece, “a boy shot in the leg … may have been targeted because of a battle the Original Young Gangsters crew started on Twitter.” As mentioned, Manhattan police are aware of the gang members’ activities and are keeping a vigilant eye on Twitter in the hopes of finding evidence or preventing brawls. There have even been Twitter success stories, but just as gang members have adapted to a new medium, we’d expect them to adapt to the surveillance measures as well.New York City police officers have a hard time controlling violent gang crime, and they are increasingly turning to technological solutions to get a handle on it. The logic works as follows: since a lot of gang crime is performed by teenagers, why not harness social networking and micro-blogging sites like Facebook and Twitter to help hunt down gang members and criminals.According to the Daily News, New York City police are using Twitter search to identify crimes before they happen. They are monitoring Twitter traffic in the hopes of sweeping up gangbangers who might be using Twitter to organize turf wars and other violent crimes… and if they miss preventing the crime, the police are using Twitter to search for clues.It may be an effective strategy. According to a 15 year old member of the New Dons, Twitter is being widely used for coordinating violent attacks on rival gangs… although they use code language that would make it difficult for anyone but gang members and insiders to understand. For example: “I knoe bitches from oyg that would dead mob yah s—t in harlem,” one girl wrote in a series of tweets aimed at drawing out a rival for a fight.That secret Twitter lingo isn’t stopping the NYPD though, who have successfully been stopping attacks before they happen by keeping track of the Twitter updates and Facebook status updates of known gang members. It’s a good long term strategy for the NYPD, since Twitter, above all other things, is for boasting, and gang members are notoriously bad at knowing when to muzzle that boasting up.

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Vancouver Ballroom gang-related fight outside a rented party hall

19-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the hip early Saturday morning in what police call a gang-related fight outside a rented party hall.
Police were called to 808 Main Street about 1:13 a.m. on reports that shots were fired and a person hit by gunfire.The injured man was transported to Legacy Emanuel hospital.
The suspect in the shooting fled the area. A gun was seized at the scene but it wasn't known right away whether it was the weapon used in the shooting.
Police said the party was at a venue called the Vancouver Ballroom.
In a prepared statement, police wrote "It is rented out for dances ranging from polka groups to hip hop DJ events. This particular night the location was rented out to "Iparty hard entertainment" This was a DJ hip hop / Rap event also themed a black and white party."

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Thirteen members of the Bloods street gang

Some of the alleged gang members were already in custody on
other charges; the others were arrested in El Paso this week. All
have been indicted on charges that they conspired to sell more than
500 grams of cocaine. Two people were also indicted on a charge of
possession with intent to distribute the drug ecstasy.FBI Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson said the arrests make a "significant" dent in the Bloods' operations in El Paso.All 13 people arrested are being held in various local, state
and federal jails, including the El Paso County Jail. It is unclear
if any of them have lawyers.

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