FPD gun crimes unit starts targeting gang members with guns
Three guns seized during search warrant were in the presence of children
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Police's gun crimes unit, assisted by MAGEC, spent the day visiting 15 different homes where gang members on probation either live or stay.
And they weren't targeting just any gang members, but those who might retaliate for the shooting death of a 17-year-old on July 12th in Southwest Fresno.
"And that's why we went and searched their houses, in hopes of taking that firearm away before they're able to commit that violent crime with it," said Sgt. Brian Valles, who heads up FPD's gun crimes unit.
Police did arrest one man in West Fresno who they say tried to discard a gun when officers arrived.
Some knocks went unanswered, and a gun holster they found wasn't grounds for an arrest, but officers made themselves known in a number of neighborhoods.
"We picked those 15 locations because we believe they are the most active right now involving guns," said Valles. "And the result was actually a good thing we didn't find anything."
But while serving a search warrant as part of an investigation, officers did find something at a Southeast Fresno home. One was a shotgun believed to have been used by a 17-year-old Southeast Asian gang member. There were also two rifles found inside.
"They were both unlocked, both in kids bedrooms, so that's why those are being taken at this time," Valles said. "We're writing a negligent storage case; we're seizing them as part of our warrant."
The unit's efforts are multi-faceted.
They'll check out locations that show up on ShotSpotter, Fresno Police Department's new gunshot detection program, and rely on confidential informants to lead them to criminals who shouldn't have guns.
The overall goal is to take down violent criminals and reduce violent crime.
Sgt. Valles says anyone with information on a gang-member with a gun should call 559-621-3089.
