Law enforcement agencies across Stanislaus County engaged in a massive gang sweep on Wednesday.
At roughly 10 a.m., more than 100 officers set out to contact approximately 115 known gang-related individuals. Federal, state, and local agencies were all involved – including the Turlock Police Department.
The wide-sweeping operation was driven by a continued increase in gang-related violence, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department said. Drive-by shootings between Norteno and Sureno criminal street gangs have surged in recent weeks, with two Sureno gang members shot dead in the last month.
As of 4 p.m., 43 probation or parole searches had been conducted. The searches resulted in 11 arrests and the seizure of two firearms.
The operation is still underway, and more searches and arrests are expected.
Wednesday's operation is just the first of several planned for this summer.
Anyone with information about gang activities is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636, or text “TIP704” to 274637.
