Suspect in killing of popular Stockton coach arrested in huge San Joaquin County gang sweep
Authorities arrested nearly 90 people, seized caches of guns and drugs and closed the books on two open homicide cases in a joint takedown of violent Stockton street gangs, San Joaquin County’s district attorney announced Thursday.
Dubbed “Hybrid Havoc,” the operation teamed Stockton police, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s and DA’s gang units with California Department of Justice for the investigation that netted 88 felony arrests.
Investigators in a midday announcement Thursday said they had solved the killing of 31-year-old teacher and assistant Edison High School baseball coach Mark Scott, who was shot dead in February in Stockton, as part of the sweep.
“We have not only taken dangerous individuals, illegal guns and drugs off Stockton streets — but also helped bring closure to families grieving the loss of loved ones,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “Today we helped the Stockton community take an important step toward healing.”
Agents in the two-week blitz that ended Wednesday seized 58 firearms including ghost guns and assault weapons. Authorities also recovered nearly 1,000 grams of MDMA, along with cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and nearly 4 pounds of marijuana.
The operation, part of what officials said was an “ongoing gun violence intervention strategy,” targeted Stockton gangs.
“Today the people of San Joaquin County are safer with these organized criminal elements off the streets,” San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar said in a statement.
.JPG)