5 Arrested in Raids Aimed at Curbing Gangs

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies arrested five gang members Tuesday in raids aimed at thwarting escalating violence between two street groups, officials said.

The deputies also seized five shotguns, a rifle and three handguns during the 1 1/2-hour morning raid on six Compton residences, Deputy Stephen Lee said.

The five gang members, ages 16 to 21, were booked at the sheriff’s Lynwood substation on suspicion of robbing rival gang member Augustus Jackson at gunpoint. The 19-year-old was attacked Monday in an unincorporated area near Compton, Lee said.

The robbers took Jackson’s watch, a small amount of cash and a ring and roughed him up, Sgt. Curtis Jackson said.

“We’ve had a number of assaults” among members of the rival gangs, Jackson said. “We try and cut it off as soon as we can.”

Jackson declined to name the gangs, saying that to do so might fuel violence.

Arrested on suspicion of strong-arm robbery were Alton MacDonald, 19; Daniel Davis, 19, and a 16-year-old boy who was not named because of his juvenile status. Grady Wilcox, 21, and Steven Rhodes, 18, were booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property.

All are Compton residents and were held on $20,000 bail each.

Jackson said that the high bail was designed to prevent retaliation and that he expected it to be reduced.

Investigators also recovered most of the victim’s stolen property.