Authorities announced a gang crackdown in Riverside and surrounding cities on Friday that netted 45 arrests and the seizure of 63 guns, including 13 assault weapons.
The arrests were the culmination of “Operation Eastbound and Down,” which has been underway for the past six months. The operation was prompted by an increase in violent crimes in the Eastside neighborhood of Riverside, which has seen more than 40 instances of gang violence, including murders, shooting, robberies, and carjackings in the last two years, according to police.
DA Mike Hestrin joined @AGBecerra & @RiversidePolice Chief Sergio Diaz announcing 45 arrests & seizure of 63 weapons during an operation targeting a violent criminal street gang. For more information, see the Attorney General’s Office news release here: https://t.co/Q6ImfID7Ld pic.twitter.com/14nvXqq6wi
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) October 19, 2018
Teams carried out searches and made arrests in Riverside, Rialto, Moreno Valley, Garden Grove, Perris and San Jacinto.
“There’s no community that should be plagued by violence and street crime,” Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a press release. “The men and women of the California Department of Justice will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Riverside Police Department and the Riverside County District Attorney to take back our neighborhoods for the families of Riverside.”
