Police Raid in El Rio

A few weeks back I was sent on a police raid of home of El Rio.  The house belonged to a suspected gang member who was already in custody.  The purpose of the raid was to collect gang related evidence confirming the suspect's gang affiliation. But because the suspect had attacked an officer a week previous to the raid, the police were being extra careful when approaching the house.  All police members wore bullet proof vests and covered all escape routes. 

Officer Victor Medina, left, asks a relative of the house under search warrant about his tatoo, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 in El Rio.  The purpose of the search is to gather gang relating evidence of the suspected gang member who is already in custody.

Officers Steve Jenkins, left, and Daniel Alcantar are suprised to find a list of names and phone numbers, Alcantar says are potentially of other gang members, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 during a search warrant service in El Rio.  The purpose of the search was to gather gang relating evidence of the suspected gang member who is already in custody.

Officer Steve Jenkins prepares to enter a residence of a suspected El Rio gang member, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 during a search warrant service in El Rio.  The purpose of the search was to gather gang relating evidence of the suspected gang member who is already in custody.

Officers Steve Jenkins, left, and Daniel Alcantar are suprised to find a list of names and phone numbers, Alcantar says are potentially of other gang members, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 during a search warrant service in El Rio.  The purpose of the search was to gather gang relating evidence of the suspected gang member who is already in custody.

Officer Victor Molina looks at papers found in a house of an alleged El Rio gang member, while other officers search for gang-related evidence in other rooms, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 during a search warrant service in El Rio.  The purpose of the search was to gather gang relating evidence of the suspected gang member who is already in custody.  Molina points out a Raiders hat, far right, he says is often worn by members of the El Rio gang.