Gang-Related Incidents Net Seven Arrests in San Mateo

The San Mateo Police Department has arrested at least seven suspects this month in connection with gang-related incidents.

The morning of Saturday, Jan. 21, police learned a victim had went to a hospital with a serious injury from an assault, San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris said.

The victim, who is expected to survive, had been at a home in the 1600 block of Echo Avenue when the alleged gang-related assault occurred, according to Norris.

Officers identified two suspects, 20-year-old Bryant Moreno and a 17-year-old, both San Mateo residents, and arrested them in connection with the alleged assault.

Moreno was booked into San Mateo County jail and the juvenile into San Mateo County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing traumatic injury and conspiracy.

Another gang-related incident occurred in the city on Tuesday.

At about 3:10 p.m., officers responded to reports of a fight in the 500 block of South Norfolk Street and found a 16-year-old victim suffering from multiple stab wounds, Norris said.

The victim was transported to a trauma center while officers searched the area for other involved juveniles -- two suspects and an unidentified associate to the stabbing victim who scattered before police had arrived.

Both suspects, the associate and the victim were eventually arrested in connection with the gang-related crime, Norris said.

The two suspects, both 17, were booked into custody on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy; the 17-year-old associate of the victim was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery, and conspiracy; and the stabbing victim was also arrested for assault and battery charges but was released on a citation to continue medical treatment.

The most recent gang-related incident occurred Wednesday, when San Mateo police officers arrested a man in San Leandro for being a felon in possession of an assault rifle, according to Norris.

Detectives had received evidence that a known gang member, 26-year-old Steve Ibarra Fernandez Jr., was unlawfully in possession of at least one firearm.

A former San Mateo resident, Fernandez Jr. was arrested at his San Leandro home without incident at about 9 a.m. after a search of his residence led to the discovery of an AK-47 assault rifle, Norris said.

Fernandez Jr. was booked into Alameda County jail on suspicion of possession of an illegal assault rifle, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and driving with a suspended license.

Last fall, San Mateo County leaders gang-related youth violence in San Mateo County at a Youth Gun Violence Forum in San Mateo.

San Mateo Police Deputy Chief Mike Callagy said at the time that gang-related crimes in San Mateo range from drug sales to robberies to major assaults, including shootings and stabbings.

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