Fresno Police battle an increase in violent crime

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- What started as a routine traffic stop in Southwest Fresno turned into the search of two men. Police say both are on probation and have gang ties.

During the first week of a special sweep officers made 300 felony arrests. By Friday night about one hundred more people were taken into custody. Police said about half of those 400 arrested are documented gang members.

Sgt. Brian Phillips and his tactical unit have seen a spike in shootings over the past seven weeks. His team is looking for anyone with an illegally owned gun.

"We had a 16-year-old female juvenile who was shot in the head, and we also had the gun store robbery on Blackstone Avenue where one of the owners from a neighboring business was just going to a business to deliver coffee, and he was just knocked down by the suspects," said Sgt. Brian Phillips, Fresno Police.

That victim, 85-year-old George Sheklian, was taken off of life-support earlier this week. He was a bystander during an armed robbery at a North Fresno gun store when he was attacked.

Investigators believe the increase in violence is being fueled by drugs, prostitution, and old gang feuds. Police say Proposition 47, which took effect immediately after the election, has made arrests tougher. Now drug possession, forgery, and minor theft cases are classified as misdemeanors.

"When you get somebody a citation they are back out in the community in 10 minutes," said Phillips.

"They're stealing they're making drug buys on the street corners, and they goes wrong, so and they shoot."

Fresno Police said there have been 47 homicides in the City of Fresno to date this year. At the same time last year, there were 37.