GANG SWEEP NETS 9\33-home search aimed at quashing violence.

Byline: R.A. Hutchinson Daily News Staff Writer

Police arrested six adults and three juveniles Thursday in a 33-house probation sweep throughout the city intended to end a month-old series of skirmishes among rival gangs.

Officers from throughout the county backed up deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department in conducting the raids from 7 to 11 a.m. In addition to the nine arrests on suspected probation violations, the names of nine more individuals were submitted to the county's Probation Department for further investigation, said Sgt. Rod Mendoza.

"We try to do these probation searches every two to three months. In the last four weeks, there's been an increase in gang activity in the area. We targeted the ones known to be in gangs or affiliated with gangs," Mendoza said.

Of the 33 suspects targeted Thursday, Mendoza said 29 are gang members and four others are under "intensive supervision" by law agencies.

"I'm sure this will (curb) the gang activity. It puts them back into the system and it also lets them know we're aware of their activities," he said.

The officer said members of six local gangs were investigated Thursday, with several of the targets believed to have been involved in a series of violent acts over the past few weeks, including a high-speed car chase that ended in a multicar crash with injuries.

On Feb. 24, seven people were hurt in a five-car collision at the intersection of Moorpark Road and Avenida de los Arboles when two carloads of gang members chased a third car carrying gang members through a red light, according to law-enforcement officials.

The car being pursued and the first pursuer struck three additional vehicles, resulting in head injuries to two drivers that required hospitalization, plus other less severe injuries to others.

The chase followed a drive-by shooting the night before. The victims in that case have been uncooperative, police have said.

The day after the car crash, officers arrested two suspects on suspicion of attacking rivals by throwing a metal hand tool at a car window. Police said the incident on Avenida de los Arboles at Oakbrook Drive involved members of the same gangs that had participated in the chase.

Mendoza said he expects the probation arrests to put a crimp in gang activity because the youths are aware they're being monitored.

"It shows the juveniles that they haven't beat the system, that we haven't forgotten them and let them slip through the cracks," he said.

The sweep on Thursday involved teams of officers from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, the cities of Simi Valley and Ventura, the California Youth Authority and the county Probation Department. The agencies typically back each other up when one of the other departments initiates a probation search.

Mendoza said the officers entered six to eight homes simultaneously to determine if a youth had violated probation. Typical violations include carrying gang paraphernalia, graffiti, association with gang members and the possession of drugs, alcohol or weapons.

Under terms of most probation agreements, the suspects will face detention in Juvenile Hall, referral back to the Probation Department for additional restrictions, or additional incarceration.

The following are the names of adults arrested Thursday and the crimes of which they were accused: Aristeo Quintero, 20, felony parole violation; John Gerstner, 18, felony warrant on suspicion of burglary; Bucky Matueksi, 18, probation violation and being under the influence of a drug or narcotic; Jose Hernandez, 21, $20,000 warrant on suspicion of resisting arrest, battery, terrorist threats and threatening a school official; Gary Shawgo, 19, possession of marijuana and stolen property; and Josh Adams, 19, possession of marijuana.

The three juveniles arrested by police during the sweeps were not named because of their age.

A 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of misappropriation of lost property; a 17-year-old female on suspicion of a probation violation and being under the influence of a drug or narcotic; and a 17-year-old female on suspicion of possession of marijuana.