The Sparks Police Department Crime Suppression Unit, with the assistance of the Regional Gang Unit and the Reno Police Department Crime Suppression Team recently arrested several members of a known, documented gang believed to be responsible for a variety of violent crimes in Sparks over the past year.

On Jan. 16, five hispanic males were seen loitering around a car parked in the Murietta’s Restaurant parking lot. A witness heard the car windows being broken and saw the five hispanic males running through the parking lot soon afterwards. The car owner discovered his windows broken out, his radar detector stolen and initials carved into the trunk lid. The car sustained over $2500 in damage. This crime was determined to be gang-related.

Later that same night, the T-Mobile store located at 131 Disc Drive was broken into. Four expensive cellular phones were stolen. Through their investigation, detectives determined the same suspects were responsible for the burglary. CSU, RGU, and CST executed three search warrants during the investigation.

Arrested were:

Christian Cortez-Serrano, 18, of Reno, on charges of vehicle burglary, property damage, possession of stolen property and commercial burglary.

Adan Lopez, 18, of Reno on charge of possession of stolen property.

Alfonso Martinez-Leon, 20, of Reno, on charges of possession of stolen property.

A hispanic male juvenile on charges of vehicle burglary and possession of stolen property.

A hispanic male juvenile on charge of possession of stolen property.

In a separate investigation, Sparks Police Department detectives arrested Britiny Newcombe, 19, of Reno, on charges of battery with a deadly weapon and destruction of property. Newcombe was an associate of above mentioned gang and was arrested for her role in a shooting which occurred at the Jack in the Box, 2289 Oddie Blvd., on May 25, 2008.