Police arrest 10 Salinas gang members following murder of 6-year-old

Suspect Vehicle: Salinas police provided these still images of the suspect vehicle that fled East Laurel Drive Tuesday after a 6-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet to the head. Anyone with info is encouraged to call police detectives at 758-7226.

Salinas police have cracked down on two factions of Sureno gangs and netted 10 arrests in the wake of a 6-year-old boy's death from a stray bullet on Tuesday, the department announced today.

Elementary student Azahel Cruz was killed from gunshots aimed at Surenos that were standing near the Laurel Pocket Park on East Laurel drive, police said. On Wednesday police arrested Marcos Matias, 20, for a March 18 attempted murder at Montana Street and Mohar Way.

"In response to these violent acts, officers from the Salinas Police Department, SPD Violence Suppression Unit, Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force, Monterey County Probation, California State Parole, California Department of Justice, US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the FBI, carried out multiple searches of Sureno gang members and their residences," police said in a statement.

 

"Approximately 80 law enforcement personnel searched over 40 individuals and locations.  The actions resulted in 10 arrests and the recovery of one semi-automatic firearm."

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