3 Arrested During Marin County Gang Sweep

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Three people were arrested Tuesday during a gang sweep in Marin County, county officials announced Wednesday.

The Marin County Probation Department, Coordination of Probation Enforcement unit, Novato Police Department and San Rafael Police Department conducted unannounced searches on adult and juvenile probationers who have ties to local gangs, DUI cases and/or are considered high-risk offenders. The searches were conducted in Greenbrae, Marin City, Novato, San Anselmo and San Rafael.

While starting off the search, one probation officer witnessed a hit-and-run crash in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael. The driver was stopped, detained and found to be a probationer. The driver was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and taken into custody.

Two arrests were made during the unannounced probation searches.

A juvenile probationer was uncooperative during the initial contact and barricaded himself in his bedroom, but no one was harmed in the incident, according to county officials. He was taken into custody on a bench warrant without further incident.

Authorities found a high-risk adult probationer in violation of his probation. The man was booked on new drug-related charges after attempting to run and hide from officers, officials said.

In addition to the arrests, 15 gang member offenders, three DUI offenders and two high-risk offenders were contacted and searched, according to officials.

According to county officials, officers found a gun, which belonged to a probationer's family member and was properly registered, but no further incidents or actions were taken. Two juvenile probationers were found to be in violation of their curfews, with one non-probation juvenile cited for possession of marijuana. In addition, several empty shotgun cartridges were confiscated from the home of a gang member or gang associate.

Photos via County of Marin