Anonymous
Source: Lompoc Police Department
Over the past month and a half the Lompoc Police Department has seen a rise in gun/gang related crimes. The following is a summary of several cases involving local gang members:
On 10/13/20, at approximately 9:53 PM, LPD Officers responded to the 700 block of North D St. for reports of shots fired in the area. Officers located evidence of a shooting in the area. During a search of the area Officers made contact with a group of gang members. A 16 year old gang member, who was part of that group, was found to possess a loaded revolver. The juvenile was arrested at the scene.
On 10/26/20, at approximately 2:58 PM, LPD Officers were conducting a follow up investigation to a shooting that occurred on 10/25/20. Officers located a group a gang members in the area of the 600 block of W. Maple Ave. The group dispersed prior to police contact. A 15 year old gang member was contacted leaving the group. The juvenile was found to possess a sawed off shotgun and a loaded handgun concealed on his person. The juvenile was arrested for several firearm related charges.
On 11/01/20, at approximately 9:07 PM, LPD Officers were involved in a vehicle pursuit that started in the 400 block of North K St. The vehicle pursuit ended in the 800 block of North H St. Four gang members, that were occupants of the vehicle, attempted to flee from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was able to evade arrest. 18 year old, Eduardo Molina and two juveniles were arrested at the scene. Further investigation revealed that the occupants of the vehicle discarded a loaded handgun during the pursuit. Molina was booked on numerous gang related firearm charges. The driver of the vehicle is still wanted in connection to this case.
On 11/05/20, at approximately 3:12 AM, LPD Officers attempted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle in the 800 block of N. G St. Two occupants of the vehicle fled prior to police contact. Officers located a 17 year old documented gang member who was believed to be an occupant of the vehicle in the general area of the traffic stop. Officers located a loaded handgun after a further search of the vehicle. The juvenile was arrested at the scene.
On 11/06/20, at approximately 3:39 PM, LPD Officers responded to the 600 block of North 4th St. for reports of shots fired. Officers obtained a suspect and vehicle description during the course of the investigation. Later in the afternoon Officers located the suspect vehicle in the 200 block of E. Pine Ave. Officers identified the driver to be 27 year old, Oscar Diaz, as well as two other juvenile passengers. All the occupants of this vehicle are documented gang members. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the suspect vehicle. Diaz led Officers on a pursuit that ultimately ended in the 400 North K/L alley. Officers arrested a 17 year old passenger for resisting arrest. Diaz was able to flee from the area in the vehicle. On 11/09/20, Officers located and arrested Diaz in connection to the shooting and felony vehicle pursuit.
On 11/11/20, at approximately 11:04 PM, LPD Officers responded to the 500 block of N. M St. for a reports of shots fired. Officers located evidence of a shooting. While Officers were on scene they contacted 18 year old gang member, Emmanuel Hernandez and a 15 year old juvenile gang member in the area. Officers found both of these subjects to possess loaded handguns. Further investigation revealed that a victim had attempted to transport himself to a San Luis Obispo area hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Hernandez and the juvenile were both arrested for numerous gang related firearm charges, including assault with a deadly weapon.
On 11/16/20, at approximately 2:40 AM, LPD Officers attempted to stop a vehicle in the 400 block of North M St. for a traffic violation. The vehicle immediately fled the area. Officers were able to locate the involved vehicle in the 300 block of S. K St. Shortly after, Officers also located a 17 year old gang member in the area. The juvenile was found to be the driver of the vehicle. The juvenile was also found to possess a loaded handgun. The juvenile was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and possession of the firearm.
Aside from the above arrest cases the Lompoc Police Department has investigated at least 10 confirmed shootings within the city and confiscated 15 firearms during this short period time.
