Newhall 13, a “generational gang” in Santa Clarita that’s been responsible for violent crime for decades, including at least a dozen shootings over the past two years, was targeted by a host of Sheriff’s Department teams in a raid Thursday morning.
Detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station identified 14 suspects who were sought at 13 locations as a result of a two-year investigation, according to Lt. Richard O’Neal of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
Lt. Brandon Barclay, acting captain for the SCV Sheriff’s Station, confirmed 11 people were detained and eight were arrested, including two juveniles, and four firearms were seized, including one that was reported stolen, as a result of the operation.
“It was focused on Newhall 13,” Barclay said, “to contact associates that are involved with the criminal street gang. It’s not uncommon for people that are adults to recruit people that are under 18 to try to do their work, the work in the street.”
Barclay provided reasons that details of cases behind the searches and arrests Thursday could not yet be discussed. Some of the actions were part of active, ongoing investigations, some might put victims in further jeopardy and others involved juveniles, which, in most cases, are not allowed to be discussed.
In serving warrants at more than a dozen locations Thursday around a Newhall neighborhood with a high school, junior high and elementary school in close proximity, Barclay said he was aware of the need to send a message to the community, particularly vulnerable children, regarding the dangers of gang activity.
Part of the operation was to help local deputies identify who is “putting in the work” and helping the younger gang members “earn their stripes,” Barclay said, borrowing street vernacular.
He recalled a recent interview he’d seen with a juvenile who was asked at what age a positive role model or influence would have made a difference, and he said, “‘Probably between 10 and 12,’” Barclay recalled.
“There is a social work aspect/piece to this, and what I meant by that is — parents need to be involved with their kids, be engaged, get them involved in extracurricular activities,” he added. “Sometimes when you have a latchkey child, because both parents are working to try and afford a house, they can get influenced by persons that necessarily don’t have the best intent.”
There were approximately 160 personnel on the scene, which included a contingent from the SCV Sheriff’s Station, the Juvenile and Gangs Team, the county’s Multi-Agency Response Team with the Department of Child and Family Services, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
“Newhall 13 has been a generational gang for several years, and they’re responsible for a lot of our Part-I crimes, or crimes against person, including shootings and assault with a deadly weapon,” Barclay added. “It’s important to stay proactive, to No. 1, make the community feel safe, and to let them know that the Sheriff’s Department is aware of their various activities.”
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Court records obtained by The Signal over the past two years have recorded a marked increase in the violence since a broad-daylight double-murder by a community pool at The Villages apartment off Valle Del Oro.
That incident specifically is mentioned in several search warrants filed last year associated with subsequent shooting investigations.
There have been several shootings and violent murders in the area since.
This is a breaking news post, and more information will be added as it becomes available.
