By Mike Baird
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — More than two dozen known gang members were yanked from their homes and other hiding spots Tuesday throughout the Corpus Christi area, police said at a Wednesday morning news conference at the police station.
The arrest of one yielded three semi-automatic weapons, six high-caliber handguns with hundreds of rounds, body armor, $7,200 in cash and what was suspected to be cocaine.
“It’s substantial,” said Assistant Police Chief J.V. Garcia, as he opened a box of 7.62x39 mm rounds for a rifle among others displayed on a table.
It’s a common round troops face in Afghanistan, he said.
Law enforcement authorities with state, local and federal agencies tracked gang members from known addresses and family homes to locations they were known to frequent to serve a variety of warrants including for drug and weapons charges.
There were 19 arrests Tuesday, and 23 warrants were served to people in jail or prison, of 122 outstanding warrants for area violent offenders on the state’s gang database, officials said.
Another seven people were arrested Wednesday afternoon.
The roundup also led to a search warrant for a home in the 2500 block of Dunbar Street, where 26-year-old Jose Garcia was found. He is suspected of a recent driveby shooting in a nightclub parking lot following an argument with a man over a woman, police said.
The search revealed eight guns, what was suspected to be cocaine and marijuana, a small electronic scale, cash, a bulletproof vest and about a dozen boxes and clips of ammunition. Garcia was in Nueces County Jail on Wednesday facing seven charges, with bail totaling $548,000, jail officials said.
Interim Police Chief Richard Badaracco said gangs are a group of people operating with violence as a way of life.
“We’re dedicated now, as we were in the beginning two years ago of ‘Enough is Enough,’ ” the chief said. “We stand united. Gangs must go.”
Police believe their work is paying off, including instances involving drive-by shootings.
There were 50 in 2009 and last year it dropped to 24, officials said.
“Our efforts with federal partners is putting pressure on gang members and many are going underground,” said Cmdr. Todd Green, in charge of the Police Department’s Crime Analysis and Tactical Intelligence Center. “Even though drive-bys have dropped and violent gang activity is decreasing, we’re not resting on our accomplishments. We’re still committed to the fight.”
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