Men arrested for gang activity arraigned
Meanwhile, one area top cop says arrests will not solve the illegal syndicate problem

By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, December 18, 2008 10:49 AM PST

Ontario — One area police official said he did not believe the recent arrest of six reported gang members was a major step in the war on illegal syndicates and felt the community should work together to offer positive alternatives to joining criminal groups.

Area police secured the arrests after descending on an Ontario apartment complex Sunday.

Police arrived at the complex just after 1 a.m. after six individuals broke into an apartment and attacked a 26-year-old Ontario man who lived there. Ontario Police Department Capt. Mark Alexander said a piece of wood and a knife were used in the attack, which also injured a 19-year-old Ontario man. Alexander said he did not believe any other weapons were found at the scene. The 26-year-old was taken to Holy Rosary Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, Alexander said.

Police arrested Alejandro Sierra, 19, Weiser, Alfredo Diaz, 19, Ontario, and Rogue Martinez, 22, Caldwell, Adan Gonzalez, 20, Ontario, David Rodriguez, 39, California, and Jesus Solorio, 19, Ontario.

Sierra was arraigned Monday in Malheur County Circuit Court on two counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of attempted assault in the second degree, kidnapping in the second degree, burglary in the first degree and attempted burglary in the second degree. Diaz, 19, Ontario, was arraigned Monday for two counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of attempted assault in the second degree, kidnapping in the second degree, burglary in the first degree, and conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree. 

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Martinez, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, and Solorio, were all arraigned on two charges of assault in the second degree, two counts of attempted assault in the second degree, kidnapping in the second degree, burglary in the first degree and conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree.

Malheur County Deputy District Attorney Erin Landis said the six will have grand jury indictments Friday afternoon and will be arraigned again on Monday, as is common with felony charges.

Alexander said this attack, as many gang related attacks are, was a retaliation incident but listed two reasons he did not feel the arrest was a major step in stopping gang violence.

“No. 1 because it happened,” he said. “And No. 2 because one individual there interestingly enough made the statement that police are not going to be able to stop gang activity.”

Alexander said while the department may not be able to stop gang activity entirely, OPD can make it difficult for gangs to operate.

“You’re not going to ever be able to completely prevent crime,” he said. “But you can take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen to your house or your neighborhood.”

He said he hoped the arrest of the six individuals sent a message to gang members about what will happen to them if they commit crimes. He also stressed the importance of public involvement as an anti-gang solution.

“It’s not a police problem. It’s not a court problem. It’s a community problem,” he said.

He said most people believe fixing the gang problem will cost a lot of money. However, Alexander said, the price tag to fix gang issues is fairly low.

“What people really need to do is spend some time,” he said.

Alexander recommended volunteering for the Ontario Parks and Recreation Department as a soccer coach, asserting the program has about 800 youths that sign up every spring and a need for more coaches. He also said it is important for the anti-gang message to be stronger than the pro-gang message.

“We took six individuals,” he said. “But they are still going to be recruiting.” Alexander spoke highly of the newly-opened Boys & Girls Club of the Western Treasure Valley, which opened Tuesday afternoon, though he said it would probably take awhile to see the benefits. However, he said even keeping one youth away from area gang syndicates and giving them something positive to do with their time is a good thing.