Operation Black Rhino Takes Down Violent Orange County Gang

SANTA ANA, CA — Several Orange County neighborhoods were flooded with police before sunrise Thursday morning. Multiple arrest warrants were served in a coordinated event nicknamed "Operation Black Rhino," according to Santa Ana police.

Police in Fullerton, Anaheim, and Santa Ana worked together in the serving of simultaneous warrants, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. In all, 11 suspects were taken into custody, according to Santa Ana Police Sgt. Anthony Bertagna. The takedown was the result of a long term investigation, according to police.

"In April of 2019, the FBI Orange County Violent Gang Task Force (OCVGTF) began an operation targeting the Townsend Street Gang," Bertagna said.

Details on the investigation were expected to be shared in an 11 a.m. news conference, attended by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, police chiefs from Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Anaheim and a special agent of the FBI.

Searches from Thursday morning led to the seizure of at least two assault rifles, including one with a silencer on it, and several handguns and drugs.

Several of the arrested suspects "have a history of felony arrests and convictions for firearms offenses and other violent crimes," Bertagna said. "Among them, attempted murder and murder."
No officers were injured during the search and seizure.