Gang Violence Continues as 270 Are Seized

A 200-member police task force, seeking to reduce gang violence, descended on South Los Angeles this weekend, sweeping up 270 suspects on suspicion of wrongdoing ranging from jaywalking to murder, authorities said Sunday.

But gang activity went unabated in other parts of the city, where at least one teen-ager was killed in a drive-by shooting, and three others were wounded in a street fight.

This was the Los Angeles Police Department’s third weekend of highly visible patrols aimed at reducing gang violence. The patrols netted 139 suspects, including two on suspicion of murder, Saturday night and 131 suspects Friday night.

“The idea is to arrest gang members any legal way possible,” Lt. Bruce Hagerty said. “There’s no penal section too small. They’re being arrested for jaywalking, being drunk in public, traffic violations--everything from very minor crimes to dangerous felonies.”

2 Houses Raided

During the sweep Saturday night, police raided two houses where rock cocaine was allegedly sold. They confiscated eight guns, $5,500 in cash and about two ounces of cocaine.

Officers also issued 239 citations, ranging from traffic violations to jaywalking, and impounded 70 vehicles, Lt. Willie Pannell said.

Meanwhile, the gang violence continued in other parts of the city.

Shortly after midnight Saturday, Jose Jimenez, 17, a reputed gang member, was shot and killed in front of his Lynwood home by one of two assailants riding on a moped, Sheriff’s Deputy Gabe Ramirez said.

In Central Los Angeles, just west of downtown, three men were wounded shortly before midnight when they were hit by shotgun blasts believed to have been fired by Salvadoran gang members, Sgt. John Johnston said.

The victims were taken to County-USC Medical Center where they were in stable condition.