Gang sweep through South County nets 10 suspects

A multi-departmental operation aimed at gangs and gang violence ran a sweep of the South County on Friday that resulted in the arrest of nine adults and one teenager.

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit, members of the South County MAGNET Unit and officers with Tulare County Probation, state parole and the state investigative unit conducted a series of warrant services, probation searches, parole searches and high profile suppression operations Friday in the towns extending from the Pixley and Earlimart areas to the Richgrove area.

In addition to the arrests, officers also seized and recovered three loaded firearms and a pair of brass knuckles, authorities report, and contacted approximately 40 suspected gang members.

Taken into custody were:

-- Jorge Alonso, 18, of Earlimart, on suspicion of possession of a firearm and illegal gang activity.

-- Arturo Pinzon, 36, of Earlimart, on suspicion of an alleged parole violation.

-- Carlos Valdez, 33, of Pixley, on suspicion of possession of a firearm and illegal gang activity.

-- Fernando Torres, 28, of Earlimart, on suspicion of possession of ammunition by a felon and an alleged parole violation.

-- Francisco Rees, 22, of Earlimart, on suspicion of possession of brass knuckles and an alleged probation violation.

-- Adrian Camacho, 23, of Richgrove, for an outstanding felony warrant.

-- Jeonimo Gatica, 23, of Richgrove, for an outstanding felony warrant.

-- Gernando Gonzalez, 30, of Richgrove, for an outstanding felony warrant and alleged probation violation.

-- Jesus Ramos, 20, of Richgrove, for an outstanding felony warrant.

A 17-year-old Exeter boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, violation of probation and illegal gang activity.

All of the suspects were booked at Tulare County jail facilities.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.