County gang units team up to arrest 6 in southeast/east Bakersfield

This is a news release of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Please do not contact the Sheriff's Communications Center.

Date: Sunday, November 08, 2009
Time: 12:21:07 AM

Details: On November 6, 2009, Deputies from the Sheriff's Gang Suppression Section teamed up with Probation Officers from the Gang Intervention and Suppression Team and the High Risk Unit of the Kern County Probation Department to conduct gang enforcement in the east and southeast areas of Bakersfield. During this single day operation, 6 subjects were arrested for various charges, including robbery, gang participation and weapons charges.

A probation search was conducted at 702 Cannon Ave and a 38 caliber handgun was located. Francisco Javier Puentes, 27 years, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon and Jose Santos Caldera, 25 years, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon and violation of probation.

Gang units were also flagged down at Belle Terrace Park by the victims of a robbery. The victims stated they had been robbed by three young hispanic males in the soccer fields of the park and one of the suspects, who was armed with a knife, was possibly still at the park. Two other suspects fled the area on bicycles. The loss from the robbery was a partial pack of cigarettes and a lighter. One of the suspects, a 15 year old, was located at the park immediately and a knife was located. A second suspect, a 17 year old, was located nearby and arrested. Both were arrested for robbery and gang participation. The investigation into the identity of the third robbery suspect is continuing.

Pilar Segura, 21 years, who was with the juvenile that was arrested for robbery at the park, was arrested for public intoxication and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Modesto Velazquez, 32 years, 4805 Monterey Street, Bakersfield, was stopped near his home and found in possession of narcotics paraphernalia. A probation search of his home was conducted and live ammunition was located. Velazquez was arrested for possession of narcotics paraphernalia and being a prohibited person in possession of live ammunition.

Collaborative operations between the gang units of the Sheriff's Office and the Probation Department are scheduled to continue on a regular basis and will typically target problem gang areas.