4 arrested in multiple gang search warrants

Four arrests were made Friday by Yuma police officers as part of the ongoing investigation into the homicide last week at Yuma Palms Regional Center.

The arrests were made as the Yuma Police Department served a series of search warrants in connection with the death of David Duran and gang-related activity in the Yuma area, Clint Norred, YPD spokesman, said Friday afternoon. Four of the seven warrants were designated as high risk.

During the service on one of the high risk warrants, two adults were injured when an interior door was breached by a frangible round designed to break a door lock, Norred said. The adults were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.

The injured were identified by their son, Michael Lucero, as Joe Lucero, 74, and Mary Lucero, 64. Joe Lucero was hit on the upper chest and arm. Mary Lucero suffered broken bones in her foot and underwent surgery, according to the younger Lucero.

How the Luceros were hurt is still being investigated, Norred said.

Norred said the service of seven search warrants resulted in the arrest of four documented gang members, the seizure of half a dozen handguns, a dozen long guns and a multitude of gang paraphernalia.

Those arrested were all from Yuma, and pending charges include:

Angel Torres, 17, was booked into the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center for participation in a criminal syndicate and gang threats.

Rafael Torres, 20, was booked into the Yuma County jail for misconduct with weapons (prohibited possessor) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Benjamin Martinez, 18, was booked into the Yuma County jail for participation in a criminal syndicate and gang threats.

Victor Laguna, 18, was booked into the Yuma County jail for participation in a criminal syndicate and gang threats.

More details about allegations against them were not immediately available.

Duran, 18, was shot behind Pac Sun at the shopping center Feb. 14 following a fight that broke out shortly before 8:30 p.m. among several apparent gang members.

Duran made his way to the front of the business before succumbing to his wound. He was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Duran had been a student at AZTEC High School.

Jose Moreno, 16, and Martin Salazar, 17, have been arrested in connection with the slaying and are being prosecuted as adults by the Yuma County Attorney's Office.

Moreno is charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault and participating in a criminal syndicate. Salazar, who on his MySpace Web page professes himself to be a member of the Eastside Naked City Street Gang, is charged with participating in a criminal syndicate and assault.

Moreno also allegedly chased the victim's friend, shooting at him, but instead wounding a bystander, according to the prosecutor.

The investigation into the homicide is continuing and police are closely monitoring gang activity in the community, Norred said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call YPD at 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

----

Joyce Lobeck can be reached at

jlobeck@yumsun.com or 539-6853.