7 arrested in latest South Monterey County gang sweep (The Salinas Californian)

7 arrested in latest South Monterey County gang sweep
Operation was fourth in less than two months
BY KIMBER SOLANA • KSOLANA@THECALIFORNIAN.COM • OCTOBER 5, 2010

South Monterey County's gang sweep Friday — the fourth operation in less than two months — netted seven arrests.

Officers from the police departments of Soledad, Greenfield, Gonzales and King City conducted 10 parole and probation searches in Gonzales, and targeted gang activity in all four cities through traffic and pedestrian stops.

Officials said they recovered contraband, ammunition and a switchblade knife. Officers also recovered stolen property from a recent burglary in King City.

Those arrested were:

> John Palacios, 24, on a parole violation in Gonzales.

> Jacob Carrasco, 29, on a parole violation and possession of marijuana in Gonzales.

> Gustavo Uribe, 21, on possession of marijuana, conspiracy to commit a crime, and participating in criminal street gang in Gonzales.

> Francisco Javier Marmolejo, 29, on possession of marijuana, ammunition and violation of parole in Gonzales.

> Guillermo Castro, 45, on an immigration hold in King City.

> Andrew Gregory, 21, on possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation in King City.

> Thomas Garcia, 19, on possession of stolen property, grand theft and possession of a concealed weapon in King City.

The operations are paid for with a $382,639 grant received earlier this year from the governor's California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention initiative, or CalGrip.

By taking the grant, the four cities committed to working together to address and reduce gang violence. Their first sweep was held Aug. 13.

In all, the four operations have netted about two dozen arrests.