16 Arrests Made Across Coachella Valley By Gang Task Force

PALM DESERT, CA — The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force arrested 16 people, including one minor, as part of an operation aimed at combating gang violence in the valley, authorities said Friday.

The operation began at 8 a.m. Thursday with assistance from Riverside County Gang Task Force Regions 2, 3, 4 and 6; the East P.A.C.T; the Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells Special Enforcement Teams; the California Highway Patrol K9 Team; and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Air Operations, according to Sgt. Paul Heredia of the sheriff's department.

Heredia said that various illegally possessed weapons, including five firearms, were collected during the operation and 16 people were arrested on suspicion of weapons, controlled substances and warrant charges.

Among the people arrested were three Desert Hot Springs women, a 17- year-old boy from Cathedral City, and a dozen men -- five from Desert Hot Springs, two each from Thousand Palms and Cathedral City, and one each from Sky Valley, Mecca and Indio, according to Heredia. The boy was booked into Juvenile Hall while all the adults were booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

The following subjects were arrested:

• Andrew Evans, 22 of Thousand Palms: Outstanding Arrest Warrant for Felony DUI and Felony Evading, Violation of Probation.
• Anthony Napoles, 38 of Desert Hot Springs: Outstanding Arrest Warrants for Vehicle Theft, Resisting Arrest, Receiving Stolen Property.
• Adan Rodriguez, 51 of Desert Hot Springs: Possession of Methamphetamine, Violation of Probation.
• Eric Quinones, 26 of Desert Hot Springs: Felon in Possession of Firearm.
• Tiffany Goehner, 28 of Desert Hot Springs: Felon in Possession of Firearm.
• Vicente Sanchez, 35 of Sky Valley: Outstanding Arrest Warrant for Possession of Narcotics.
• Joseph Berry, 35 of Desert Hot Springs: Violation of Parole.
• Alberto Barerra, 40 of Thousand Palms: Possession of Methamphetamine.
• Mayra Sigala, 32 of Desert Hot Springs: Outstanding Arrest Warrants for Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of Prohibited Weapon, Possession of Controlled Substance While Armed.
• Jesus Ortiz, 45 of Mecca: Outstanding Arrest Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine.
• Hugo Rodriguez, 50 of Indio: Outstanding Arrest Warrant for Under the Influence of Controlled Substance.
• Bianca Gallegos, 23 of Desert Hot Springs: Outstanding Arrest Warrant for Possession of Controlled Substance.
• Jonathan Berry, 39 of Desert Hot Springs: Felon in Possession of Firearm.
• Daniel Aguirre, 39 of Cathedral City: Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
• Amado Cota, 20 of Cathedral City: Carry Concealed Firearm.
• 17-year-old juvenile of Cathedral City: Carry Concealed Firearm, Minor in Possession of Ammunition

Anyone with information regarding gang activity was asked to call 951- 922-7601 or use the sheriff department's online Gang Task Force Tip Form which can be found at www.riversidesheriff.org.