Multi-Location Search Warrant, Guns Seized, 6 Arrested

January 28, 2010, 5:30 a.m.

Suspects:

1. Edward Argueta, 26, Garden Grove resident – Weapons charges
2. Ysrael Garza, 28, Garden Grove resident – Weapons charges
3. Fernando Garza, 29, Garden Grove resident – Weapons charges
4. Oscar Padilla, 18, Garden Grove resident – Weapons charges
5. Gregorio Pinto, 27, Garden Grove resident - Warrant
6. Adult male (name not yet released) - Warrant

Over the past six months, a Garden Grove based criminal street gang has been involved in at least four shootings, two assaults, and multiple graffiti-related incidents in the Garden Grove area. This criminal activity was related to a “turf war” involving a separate Garden Grove based criminal street gang. The investigation, led by Investigator Pat Gildea of the Garden Grove Police Gang Suppression Unit, resulted in a seven-location search warrant for residences in both Garden Grove and Anaheim.

Early this morning, 65 police officers from Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Orange County Probation served the warrants and arrested six gang members and associates. The search resulted in the seizure of 13 firearms, including 4 shotguns, 2 rifles, 2 assault rifles, and 5 handguns. More than 1000 rounds of various types of ammunition were also seized. Investigators believe that some of the weapons seized were used in the previous Garden Grove shootings. Four were arrested for convicted felons in possession of firearms and two were arrested for unrelated misdemeanor warrants.