Nine-month investigation into new Stockton street gang nets 10 arrests

Lodi Police Department was involved in probe

STOCKTON — The Stockton Police Department this week announced the results of a nine month investigation into a new street gang that was involved in several shootings and homicides throughout the county.

Ten members of the East Oak Street Nortenos — a subset of the larger Norteno street gang — were arrested on suspicion of multiple charges during the course of the investigation, police said.

In addition, several weapons and narcotics were seized during the ninemonth period, police said.

Stockton police detectives first began investigating after a Sept. 15 homicide in the 2300 block of Hackberry Street. A 60-year-old man was shot and killed about 1:30 a.m., according to reports, in the city’s 38th homicide of 2017.

Salvador Vega, 28, was arrested the following October on suspicion of the shooting. This week, police said Jesus Martinez, 20, also was arrested.

Martinez and Vega also were arrested on suspicion of homicide in the 1700 block North Gilchrist Avenue and the 1000 block of South Wilson Way on Sept. 29 and Oct. 21, respectively.

Stockton Police Department Chief Eric Jones said the East Oak Street Nortenos had been on the department’s radar in the past two years.

“This is yet another collaboration of our department, county law enforcement agencies, federal and the state justice department to bring violent gang members to justice,” Jones said Tuesday evening. “This was a very violent street gang, and we’re focusing our resources on all violent street gangs.”

In all, the agencies involved investigated nine incidents leading to the arrests of the 10 Nortenos in custody. The most recent was a June 15 search warrant served in the in the 100 block of East Jackson Street. Rigoberto Maya, 20, was arrested on suspicion of accessory, being in possession of stolen property, and gang enhancements.

Jones said the arrests have not effectively shut down this particular faction of the Norteno family, but it has severely impacted them.

“This isn’t just a Stockton Police problem,” he said. “It’s not a Sheriff’s problem, or a DA problem. It is instinctive upon all of us to come together and combat gang violence and gun violence.”

Also involved in the investigation were the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office; Lodi Police Department; Manteca Police Department; State Department of Justice and Tracy Police Department.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff ’s Office began its investigation after two Aug. 9 shootings in the 1600 and 1700 blocks of North Gilchrist Avenue.

“I am very pleased with the hard work and efforts of our detectives, as well as members of the Stockton Police Department, that made these arrests possible,” San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore said in a statement. “My hope is that these arrests will help the victims’ families find some peace and begin the healing process.”

Jones said and that more arrests of violent gang members — Nortenos or members of other gangs — could come in the future.