34 Arrests, 24 Guns, 160 Probationer Locations Searched: Operation D.I.S.A.R.M. – Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, Glendale, Montrose, Sherman Oaks, Claremont...
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More than 250 law enforcement officers swarmed over 160 locations throughout Los Angeles County to take 34 people into custody, most for weapons violations.
Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Probation Department, the Pasadena Police Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services’ Multi-Agency Response Team (MART), and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted a joint operation, with locations ranging from Palmdale to Claremont, searching for probationers (who are prohibited from possessing firearms) with firearm related offenses.
A total of 23 guns were recovered, as well as an assortment of knives and switchblades.
All the locations were in areas constituting the Los Angeles County Fifth Supervisorial District. Supervisor Michael Antonovich requested the operation to ensure that persons on probation were complying with their conditions of probation. Task force members fanned out over the San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita, Sherman Oaks, Glendale, Pasadena, and the Antelope Valley, targeting probation violators and known gang-members.
Prior to the operation, the locations and individuals subject to search and arrest were identified by the Probation Department and the Sheriff’s Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau.
Planning for this large scale operation took months, but ensured a successful conclusion. Sheriff’s Department COPS Bureau Captain Robert Tubbs said, “This operation shows what inter-department cooperation can accomplish. The mission today was not only to arrest individuals known to be in violation of their probation, but to also ensure that others are fully complying with the terms and conditions of their early release program.”
Although this is not the first of these types of operations, Captain Tubbs said that because of the success of these operations it definitely will not be the last and other operations are in the planning stages.
While conducting a search in the 1900 block of East Avenue R-3, Palmdale, two individuals ran from task force members. Nathaniel Hayes, Male Black, 22 of Monrovia, was arrested for an outstanding probation warrant and Dominic Mervin, Male Black, 21 of Palmdale, was arrested for an outstanding domestic violence warrant. Neither subject had been part of the original focus of the search at that location.
Chief Deputy Probation Officer Calvin Remington stated, “I’m very pleased with the results of today’s operation and extremely proud of our courageous probation officers who routinely put their own safety on the line to protect our neighborhoods. Collaborations like these provide the best service to local communities.”
In the 2200 block of Florencita Avenue, Lucas Milton, Male White, 26 of Montrose, was arrested by task force personnel when they discovered ecstasy, cocaine, various prescription medications, and $3,000 in cash.
The Los Angeles County Department of Family and Children Services’ MART was present for the operation to ensure that any children found to be in probationers homes were not at risk from accessible firearms, narcotics, and/or any other potentially neglectful or abusive situations. In total, 14 investigations were opened for continued follow-up services.
“Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives considers Los Angeles County Department of Probation (DISARM) a critical partner in its long-term mission of combating violent crime and removing criminals from our communities,” says John A.. Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Los Angeles Field Division. “ATF will continue to dedicate Federal resources in conjunction with those crucial law enforcement contributions of local agencies to the pursuit of eradicating and forestalling criminal activity.
“These weapons were confiscated during Wednesday’s operation,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich who held a press conference Thursday announcing the successful confiscation of 23 firearms and the arrest of 35 probationers who were in violation of their probation Wednesday as part of the D.I.S.A.R.M. program (see photos). “The Probation Department led a team of 250 law enforcement officers from 5 federal and state agencies in a sweep of 158 residences within the fifth district of Los Angeles County.” “Since the inception of the D.I.S.A.R.M. program in February 2000, there have been over 16,000 arrests, nearly 8,000 weapons confiscated and over $360 million dollars in illegal drugs and drug money seized,” he added.
The D.I.S.A.R.M program entails pairing Deputy Probation Officers with local law enforcement personnel to perform unannounced searches of probationers and their homes, and targets the confiscation of guns, drugs, and other contraband.
In Los Angeles County, there are 50,000 adult probationers and 20,000 juvenile probationers. They are prohibited from possessing firearms and are subject to warrantless searches as a condition of probation. In November, D.I.S.A.R.M officers conducted 1,832 unannounced searches of residences, persons, vehicles, and businesses and confiscated 188 weapons, over $53 million in illegal drugs and arrested 136 probationers.
Prepared by:
Lieutenant Larry Gregg
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deaprtment
(310) 386-2562
www.lasd.org
Forwarded by:
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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