gang-members - Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo

Police Use Social Networking Sites to Track Gangs

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:21:00 GMT

Police investigations are keeping up with the social networking trend as they investigate gang members and gang activity. Sites like Facebook, my space, and twitter serve as a way to communicate between gang members. Some use the internet to post videos and photos sometimes showing current criminal activities that they are involved in. Music and art related to the gangs are also posted for others to see and create a presence. Through pictures, art or music gang affiliation can be linked to someone the police are investigating. By monitoring these sites officials are gathering prosecutorial evidence. Many of the comments, written posts or pictures are publicly available while the site managers cooperate with officials when presented with a subpoena.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:37:00 GMT

The night of January 26, 2010, a 17-year-old gang member was arrested in Santa Ana, Orange County for carrying a loaded weapon. The incident occurred when police spotted the teen riding a “beach cruiser” and “acting suspicious.”

When the officer tried to stop the teen, he jumped off the bike and ran. Police found him later hiding while carrying a loaded .38 caliber revolver.

California prohibits any individual from carrying a concealed firearm upon his or her person or within any vehicle under his or her control or in which he or she is an occupant. Under California Penal Code Section 12025, carrying a concealed firearm is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, OR by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), OR by both fine and imprisonment if: (1) The firearm and ammunition are in immediate possession. Notably, a weapon that is loaded can be transported in a car if it is in a locked container like a carrying case or in the trunk of the car. It can only be carried on the person if the individual is going to or from a vehicle and the weapon must still be in a locked case.

Orange County Home Invasion Probably Drug Related

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:34:00 GMT

Three gang members allegedly broke into a home on New Year’s Eve in Tustin, Orange County, California. One of the suspects pistol whipped the resident and ran off with about $200 according to the Orange County Register. A car chase through Tustin and into Santa Ana ended up with the suspects fleeing on foot. The owner of the car was Jose Zendejas, he was arrested in Long Beach. A second suspect Ernesto Garcia was arrested in Santa Ana and both men are being charged with robbery (Penal Code Section 211) and street terrorism (Penal Code Section 186.22). A third suspect Alberto Penaloza is being charged with robbery, possession of a controlled substance for sale (Health and Safety Code Sections 11359, 11378, 11351) and as convicted felon in possession of a stolen firearm (Penal Code Section 12021(a)(1). An amount of methamphetamine was found and evidence of drug sales (Health and Safety Code Section 11378). Examples of evidence the drug is for sale include if the substance is packaged in individual amounts, the amount of the drug, if scales are found with the drug and/or a significant amount of small bills.

New Laws for a New Year!

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:14:00 GMT

This New Year’s brings new laws to the state of California. According to the OC register the fee for renewing a driver’s license has gone up to $31. Other vehicle related regulations include video screens and interlock devices. A video screen can be placed in the front seat as long as the driver cannot actually see the screen. It is now possible for cities and counties to require a 30 day impound of a vehicle if a person used a vehicle when soliciting a prostitute. On July 1st the following counties will require those convicted of a DUI to install ignition interlock devices on every operated or owned vehicle in order to maintain their driver’s license: Los Angeles, Sacramento, Alameda and Tulare.

Other laws that will go into affect:

AB 576- Agencies will be identified as “victims” of graffiti vandalism. This gives the agency eligibility to seek restitution from those convicted.

SB 492- Raises fines and jail time for registered gang members loitering near a school within 72 hours of being told to leave.

SB 135 chopping off a cow’s tail is considered a misdemeanor and can only be done when medically relevant.