Though the rival gangs originated in Compton, more than 300 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies swept through seven cities, including Long Beach, and hit 32 different locations, according to the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.
"The warrants were in furtherance of several ongoing investigations into gang related murders, shootings and assaults stemming from a bitter feud between rival gangs," said Sheriff's Lt. Richard Westin.
The raids began shortly after midnight Thursday and included warrants served in Anaheim, Compton, Hawthorne, Lancaster, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Lynwood, Westin said.
Though the operation was lead by the Sheriff's anti-gang force, the Operation Safe Streets Bureau, it included assistance from the South Gate, Inglewood, Gardena, Whittier and Anaheim police departments, Westin said.
As a result of this operation 22 people were charged and booked on counts of murder, assault with a firearm, and illegal possession of firearms. Of those arrested, 17 are men, 3 are women and two suspects are juveniles.
Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services also took three children into protective custody, Westin said.
In addition to the arrests, deputies seized a number of items for evidence, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns there were illegally possessed by ex-felons, found to be
stolen or suspected of being used in crimes.Gang related paraphernalia was also taken along with evidence of gang membership, which will be used to seek sentencing enhancements for gang related offenses, the lieutenant said.
tracy.manzer@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1261.
