Gang Sweep in San Clemente Nets 34 Arrests : Law enforcement: Sheriff’s deputies say they surprised group that was fighting and drinking after getting a tip about an initiation party.

In what investigators called the largest gang sweep in South County, 34 suspected gang members were arrested following an initiation party near a remote park, authorities said.

Orange County sheriff’s deputies, who had been tipped-off about the meeting, surprised the group Thursday night and began making arrests, Lt. Dan Martini said Friday.

The suspects--11 of them juveniles--were arrested at a police roadblock near the park on suspicion of fighting in a public place and conspiring to engage in street terrorism.

“We invited ourselves to the party and arrested everyone,” Martini said. “It is our statement for the summer. We are not going to tolerate this activity and this is the kind of reaction that the gangs can expect from us.”

Authorities said that the young men arrested are suspected members of the city’s largest street gang, which has an estimated 60 active members.

Deputies arrived at a private field next to Rick Steed Memorial Park about 9:50 p.m. and saw members of the group fighting and drinking, said sheriff’s investigator Paul D’Auria, who joined the sweep.

“We observed about five physical fights between several members of the group,” D’Auria said. “Based on our experience, we recognized this as a way of initiating new members.”

D’Auria said the initiation consisted of members of the group surrounding the potential new member and “jumping in,” or beating and fighting with the recruit.

Deputies arrested the group without incident as they drove from the party on Avenida Pico. There were no weapons recovered at the scene, Martini said.

All but two of the 34 people arrested were identified by authorities as active gang members or gang associates.

Arrested were: Balfred Brito, 20; Alfredo Aguilar Cabrera, 18; Alejandro Carrillo, 22; Abel Sanchez Diaz, 18; Raymond Diaz, 20; Raul Pera Flores, 20; Raul Gonzales, 19; Marcio Garcia Guerra, 23; Ramiro Ochoa Llamas, 23; Juan Carlos Llamas, 23; Sergio Aguilar Martinez, 19; Juan Gabriel Mejorado, 24; Adolfo Diaz Murillo, 18; Charles Mark Salazar, 21; Brett Raymond Sansom, 19; Juan Francisco Vasquez, 20; Alejandro Enrique Villa, 23, and Oscar Enrique Gonzales. All are residents of San Clemente.

Also arrested were: Robert David Aguilera, 19, of San Bernardino; Juan Manuel Banda, 19, of Santa Ana; Guillermo Palacio, 19, and Loreto Trujillo, both of Capistrano Beach.

The adults were being held at County Jail and one was booked at Anaheim City Jail for a parole violation. Three of the juveniles were taken to Orange County Juvenile Hall and eight others were released to their parents with criminal complaints to be filed, Martini said.

Six of the arrestees were on parole or probation, Martini said.

The sweep was organized through a special gang enforcement unit from San Clemente, with the help of deputies throughout South County and other law enforcement agencies, including parole and probation officers.

Sheriff’s Lt. Tom Davis, chief of police services in San Clemente, said he couldn’t predict how the sweep would affect gang activity in the city.

“But it does send a clear message to the gang members of this city that we as a community are involved in trying to put an end to its membership,” Davis said. “I know there’s still going to be problems and it’s something we have to continually work on.”

Local concern about gang activity reached a peak in October when 17-year-old Steve Woods was fatally pierced through the head with a metal paint roller rod during an altercation at a local beach. Six youths, alleged gang members or associates, were charged in the death.

The death of the San Clemente High School senior caused outraged San Clemente residents to hold meetings, marches and demonstrations to protest gangs and youth violence.

Brito, one of those arrested Thursday night, initially was arrested in connection with the Woods attack but later was released because of lack of evidence.

City officials on Friday praised the efforts of the Sheriff’s Department.

“We have an attitude of zero tolerance for gang behavior,” said Mayor Scott Diehl. “This fits that philosophy. Hopefully, it will once again show those who are not involved in gangs that it’s not a good lifestyle. It’s a dead-end street.”