RPD: Multiple Gang Members Arrested, Murder Parolee Arrested

RICHMOND, CA- Richmond Police and California Highway Patrol Officers reportedly arrested multiple gang members, taking an unregistered, loaded gun and drugs off the streets Monday nights.

According to their report, RPD officers were on violence prevention patrol when they saw an occupied, parked car in the city's Southern District - an area they say has had a recent increase of drug and gun violence related activities.

When the officers walked up to the car to chat with the occupants, Officer Therriault recognized one of them as a validated Richmond gang member on probation for a gun conviction. The officer reports that he smelled a strong odor of marijuana inside the car so he asked them to exit the car for a search.

CHP officers were in the area assisting with crime reduction efforts, so two CHP K-9 units were requested to the scene.

One of the CHP drug sniffing canines alerted to something in the dashboard of the car, leading RPD to check the loose air vents of the vehicle.

"A tug on the vents revealed a hidden area where a loaded .40 caliber Glock (unregistered) with an extended magazine was hidden," says the RPD report, "There were also several individually packaged marijuana sacks."

All four occupants of the car were searched. Officers allegedly found more individually packaged marijuana in the pockets of one detainees, and more than $4,000 total in the vehicle.

Officials note that no one had valid medicinal marijuana cards.

"Furthermore, two other detainees were also validated Richmond gang members, with one being on parole for murder," says the report.

The suspects, Edward Stephens, 27, on probation, Diari Dansby, 32, on parole, Kamari Thomas, 34, and Jacob Terry, 26, were arrested and booked for gun, drug, probation, parole offenses with street gang enhancements.

"We are proud of our officers' tenacity and their relentless pursuit of individuals committing violence in our community, Richmond Police said in a social media post, "We also appreciate CHP's partnership in our violence reduction efforts. Great job by all!"

Photos courtesy of Richmond Police Department