Christina L. Esparza Staff Writer
WEST COVINA
Copyright 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune (California)
Police made four arrests early Wednesday in a move to curb the gang violence that has plagued the south side in the past year.
West Covina’s SWAT and other special teams partnered with SWAT teams from Azusa and Covina and other agencies to serve arrest warrants about 5 a.m. to four locations in West Covina and one in Diamond Bar.
“We had clean and compelling evidence ... we were going to prevent a violent felony from occurring,” said Chief Frank Wills. “Any time we can reduce gang violence in this community and take illegal weapons off the street is a good day.”
Arrested were Michael Malcolm Wade, 21, of Ontario; Christopher Dixon, 18, of Pomona; Wyatt Jamal Ellison, 33, of West Covina; and a 16-year-old boy from Diamond Bar.
Wade, Dixon and the juvenile were arrested on suspicion of possession of a handgun and of drugs for sale at the Diamond Bar home.
The two men -who were found hiding in the attic and soon surrendered to police - are being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, and the boy is being held without bail. Ellison was arrested on a $60,000 vandalism warrant.
No one was hurt.
“Everything went really good,” said West Covina Lt. Paul LaCommare.
The arrests were in response to violence between two gangs who authorities said have been retaliating against each other since last year.
West Covina Cpl. Rudy Lopez said he hopes the intervention will end the gangs’ game of tag.
“We hope to put a dent into the acts of violence out there,” said Lopez, spokesman for the West Covina Police Department. “We hope this sends a message out that the city’s not going to tolerate it.”
[626] 962-8811, Ext. 2472
March 16, 2006