Multiple Arrests of Violent Gang Members Today

In an action coordinating Federal, State, County, Oakland and other city’s law enforcement, 24 high risk arrest warrants were served throughout the Bay Area early today.  The subjects were principally members of the Case Gang in Oakland who Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan says has been one of the two most violent gangs in Oakland over the past five months.

It is part of Operation Ceasefire.  According to police, just last October hundreds of people, mainly gang members identified as previously violent, were called in to meetings to tell them that violence had to stop.  While help for people willing to lay down their guns was offered, there was also a warning, whatever gang was “first or worst” to act violently would be targeted for arrest. 

 Oakland Police (OPD) identified two groups, Case Gang and Money Team as having been the “first and worst” and therefor targeted for arrests in the last four to five weeks. Since February 5, OPD says they have made 33 felony arrests and recovered 26 firearms.  This severely limited the Money Team leaving today’s action principally focused on the Case Gang.  In the action today, 16 arrests have been made as of noon and many more firearms seized.

At a press conference in Oakland, Chief Jordan was joined by U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag, CA Attorney General Kamila Harris, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Alameda Co. Sheriff Greg Ahern and Oakland Mayor Quan.

U.S. Attorney Haag said that over 160 Federal agents participated in the serving of the arrest warrants today.  Federal agencies involved included, the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Secret Service, Homeland Security and U.S. Marshals.

CA Attorney General Harris said with the support of Gov. Brown and CHP, her office’s Division of Law Enforcement has been helping in the Ceasefire project.  Harris said since its inception just a few months ago, 23 people have been arrested with 167 criminal cases charged and 55 firearms seized.  She said in addition to the Operation Ceasefire focus on violence her office has also focused on home invasion robberies in Oakland.

Also assisting today were San Mateo and Contra Costa Sheriffs as well as police in Antioch (where at least one arrest warrant was served) and Alameda County Probation officers.  Oakland Housing Authority police and State probation have been contributing to the Operation Ceasefire action as well.  

Alameda DA O’Malley, and other speakers, took note that while hundreds of law enforcement personnel took part in the action serving these 24 high risk arrest warrants today, there were no injuries.