Dog-fighting - 7 dogs seized
Chicago, IL (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011
County: Cook

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Julio Mendoza
» Eric Rivera
» Alfredo Ramos
» Jose Morales

Five alleged members of the Maniac Latin Disciples street gang were arrested on dog fighting charges Wednesday. The arrests are connected to an on-going police investigation into the gang that began after one of its members allegedly shot and wounded two girls while aiming at rivals earlier this month in a Northwest Side park.

Police also rescued seven dogs during the operation, which saw the department's Gang Investigations Unit execute search warrants at three Northwest Side addresses, according to a release from police News Affairs.

A police investigation and surveillance uncovered evidence of animal cruelty and dog fighting perpetrated by members of the Manic Latin Disciples gang, the release said.

While executing a search warrant in the 3000 block of North Kimball, police arrested Jose Rios, 29, on three misdemeanor counts of possession of a vicious dog by a felon and one count of resisting a police officer, according to the release.

Four more men were arrested after the second search warrant was executed in the 3500 block of West Montrose, the release said. Julio Mendoza, 18, and 21-year-old Eric Rivera, both of the Montrose address, were each charged with cruelty to animals, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of an animal owner's duties. Rivera was also charged with keeping a place of prostitution, according to the release.

Marquis Falls, 25, also of the Montrose address, was charged with possession of a vicious dog by a felon, the release said. Alfredo Ramos, 18, of the 2900 block of North Kedzie, was charged with cruelty to animals and violation of an animal owner's duties.

Police executed a third warrant in the 1500 block of North Springfield Avenue where they found three dogs, but no suspects. The Gang Investigations Unit's Animal Crimes Team later arrested Jose Morales, 22, of the Springfield address on Thursday and charged him with three counts of animal cruelty and three counts of violation of an animal owner's duties.

All of the men are allegedly members of the Maniac Latin Disciples gang, according to police, who are still seeking other gang members as part of their on-going investigation.

Police began cracking down on the Maniac Latin Disciples after alleged member Antonio Bucios was arrested for his role in a gang-related shooting June 8 at Avondale Park. Bucio, 22, was ordered held without bond on charges of attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and aggravated battery in connection with the shooting that seriously injured a 7-year-old girl and left a 2-year-old girl with a graze wound.

Days after the shooting, Police Supt. Garry McCarthy declared an "ongoing and relentless" war against the Maniac Latin Disciples and has vowed to lock members up "on whatever charges we come up with."

"Our goal is to ensure that when these violent acts occur by criminals, their entire organization is going to be held accountable for the actions of one of them," McCarthy told reporters June 10. "In this case, what I'm here to pledge to you is the fact that the entire resource of the Chicago Police Department is going to go after the Maniac Latin Disciples. It's really that simple."

Rios, Falls, Rivera, Ramose and Mendoza are all scheduled to appear in court July 16.

References

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