SANTA CLARITA / ANTELOPE VALLEY : 7 Gang Suspects Arrested in Series of Burglaries

Seven suspected gang members who authorities say befriended other youths in order to burglarize their families’ homes have been arrested, authorities said Monday.

The thefts occurred during a six-month period that ended earlier this month when one suspected gang member was arrested on suspicion of trying to cash a check stolen during a burglary, said Deputy Tony Miano of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. Miano said an investigation by deputies led to the arrest of one additional adult and five juveniles. The last of the arrests was made on Monday.

The suspects have confessed to taking personal checks, weapons and other items from six homes, Miano said, although deputies believe they also participated in other unreported burglaries. He said two break-ins occurred at unoccupied residences, but other thefts were more devious.

“There were other instances where these were people the gangs befriended, usually other kids, and found ways into the home,” he said. “In one case they lured one of the victim’s daughters away from the house so the gang members could burglarize it.”

A couple of the burglaries occurred at the homes of people related to the suspects, Miano added.

“For whatever reason there was animosity in the family and the kid decided he would get even by making it possible for the gang members to burglarize the home,” he said.

Miano did not know the total value of the stolen items, but said only a small portion has been recovered.

The suspects are allegedly members of a multiracial gang that has operated on the west side of Santa Clarita for the past two years, Miano said, adding that the gang also has members in Las Vegas.

The arrests, Miano said, may have at least temporarily put a stop to the gang’s activities.

“We feel some of the arrests have included the leadership of this gang and we have received information from some of the members who were not arrested that this gang no longer exists,” he said.

Zachary Graves, 21, of Valencia, who authorities said tried to write a forged check at a Valencia check-cashing business on Nov. 10, was the first to be arrested. Deputy Dustin Stillwell discovered other stolen property and credit cards on Graves while arresting him, and Graves later admitted involvement in two burglaries, Miano said.

A second man, Richard Rubio, 18, of Saugus, was arrested the same day when he came to the sheriff’s station to see what had happened to his friend, Miano said.

“They noticed at that time that he might be wearing stolen clothes, so they detained him and found evidence linking him to stolen clothes,” Miano said.

Both men are at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles, Miano said.

One juvenile who is on probation for a conviction of assault on school property remains in custody at Sylmar Juvenile Hall, while the other four have been released to their parents.