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Crime & Safety

Helicopter, K-9 Search after Gang Fight: 5 Napa Teens Nabbed

A reported gang fight on Pueblo Avenue Friday night resulted in the arrests of five Napa teenagers, four male and one female, after a helicopter and land search and the help of K-9 Ringo, Napa police said. Arrest information does not indicate conviction

Gang enforcement officers, the California Highway Patrol helicopter and police dog Ringo were all part of a three-and-a-half-hour effort to round up five Napa gang members after a fight on Pueblo Avenue at about 6 p.m. Friday, according to a report from the City of Napa Police Department:

On October 24, 2012 at approximately 1800 hours Napa Police Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) Officers responded to a reported fight in the 1300 blk. of Pueblo Ave.  It was reported that a group of subjects confronted the victims. During the confrontation the victims were assaulted and a hat was taken from one of them.  An investigation was conducted and the responsible parties were identified. All are known/ documented gang members.

SEU Officers went to the 100 blk. of Cesta Dr. and took a 17 yrs. old Male juvenile into custody.  He was booked at Napa County Juvenile Hall for Robbery, Assault with a deadly weapon, Conspiracy, Gang Crime, and violation of probation.  

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A short time later SEU Officers were in the area of 1800 Imola Ave. when they observed several subjects including Freddy Martinez near an involved vehicle. 

The officers initiated contact with the group and several of the subjects fled on foot into the surrounding neighborhood.  Napa Police, Napa Sheriffs’ Department and a California Highway Patrol Helicopter responded to assist.

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During the chase a 17yrs. old Male juvenile attempted to elude police by entering a garage in the 1700 blk. of Hemlock Ave.  The male juvenile was given repeated commands to come out of the garage and Napa Police K-9 Ringo was deployed. 

The male juvenile was located hiding inside a clothes dryer and taken into custody.  He was booked at Napa County Juvenile Hall for Burglary, Prowling, Resisting Arrest, and violation of probation after treatment at Queen of the Valley Hospital. 

A 17 yrs. old Male juvenile was caught and arrested after running from the scene.  He was taken into custody for Resisting Arrest, Gang Crime and violation of probation.

A 16 yrs. old Female juvenile was arrested at the scene.  She was booked into Napa County Juvenile Hall for Robbery, Conspiracy, Gang Crimes, and violation of probation.

Martinez was able to elude capture but was reported as a suspicious subject by an alert citizen a short time later.  He was contacted by a Napa County Sheriffs’ Deputy and taken into custody.  He was booked at NCDC for Robbery, Assault, Conspiracy, Gang Crimes, Resisting arrest, and violation of probation.

The police report ends with this arrest at 9:38 p.m. Some neighbors have said they heard the helicopter search continuing until later in the evening. Click the "Keep me posted" button below for automatic updates when we publish more news on this story.

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