New gang unit out in force

From Daily Republic
By Audrey Wong

SUISUN CITY - Suisun City police unveiled their new two-man gang unit Friday through Sunday and made 18 arrests, police said Monday.

The new gang unit teamed up with the Solano County Sheriff's Office gang unit and patrolled Suisun City for criminal activities. Authorities wanted to quell any violence that can erupt over the Cinco De Mayo weekend, said Suisun City Police Lt. Ed Dadisho.

The anti-gang officers also interviewed several people.

"We want to become familiar with the gang members," said Dadisho, who joined the teams on his days off.

One of the 18 arrests was an assault with a deadly weapon suspect. Police staked out the suspect's apartment Friday night then stopped his car when they saw him drive out, Dadisho said. The teams later found his gun.

Friday night was the busiest nights with eight arrests and eight cars towed for reasons such as no drivers license, Dadisho said.

On Saturday the Sheriff's gang unit interviewed two youths. They found a red bandana on them and CDs of rappers who allegedly belong to the Norteno street gangs. A correctional officer released the two and told the teenagers to spread the word that the gang units are in town.

Suisun City police dealt with a road rage situation on Sunset Avenue where the drivers left their cars to fight, Dadisho said. Police found a glass pipe on one of the drivers, police said.

A total of nine Suisun City police officers and five Sheriff's deputies worked as gang and crime suppression task force for three nights.

Suisun City police formed the gang unit because of a recent increase in gang activity and graffiti, Dadisho said. The new team will patrol on a regular basis.

"This is not just a one-time deployment; the unit will be deployed every weekend as staffing allows," Dadisho said.

Reach Audrey Wong at 427-6951 or awong@dailyrepublic.net.