10 Gang Members Arrested in Sweep Before Tet Festival

Police arrested 10 gang members Thursday on suspicion of parole or probation violations to prevent them from attending the weekend Tet Festival.

The raids in four cities targeted “known gang members . . . who would have been anticipated to attend the festival,” Garden Grove Police Lt. John Woods said. The raids were aimed at ensuring “a safe and family-oriented environment” at the event, police said.

Seven handguns--including two stolen firearms--and a butterfly knife were seized in the searches of 21 homes in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Westminster, Woods said. About 65 officers, including parole and probation authorities, were part of the sweep.

The 10 male juveniles were arrested on suspicion of having weapons or stolen goods, or other violations of court-ordered restrictions, Woods said. People on probation or parole often are legally bound to submit to unannounced searches.

The Tet celebrations in Westminster were marred last year when a gang shooting in a local cafe left three young men wounded.

The shooting at Cafe Thach Thao had little impact on the city’s street celebration, which drew tens of thousands of people, but community leaders decried the violence as an insult to the festival honoring ancestors and marking the new year.