Several Arrested During Claremont, La Verne Parolee Sweep

A probation and parole sweep in 10 San Gabriel Valley cities concluded today and resulted 40 arrests, authorities said.

The arrests in Azusa, Baldwin Park, Claremont, Covina, Glendora, Irwindale, Pomona, La Verne, West Covina and Whittier were made by the multi- jurisdictional San Gabriel Valley East AB109 Task Force, operating out of the Pomona Police Department beginning Dec. 9, said Pomona police Sgt. Bert Sanchez.

"The goal of the operation was to conduct probation and parole compliance checks on persons being supervised by the Los Angeles County Probation Department's Chief of Police Regional Support Unit (as well as state parolees and sex registrants)," Sanchez said.

"The holiday season typically brings an increase in a variety of crimes," Sanchez said. "Many of those crimes are committed by repeat offenders who realize that citizens will tend to have more money and property with them during the holiday season. In addition, criminals who are on probation or parole, or have absconded, tend to return home for the holidays to be with their families."

The operation dubbed Home for the Holidays resulted in 215 parole or probation compliance checks and of the 40 people arrested, 29 were suspected of probation or parole violations, seven were suspected of sex offender violations and four had outstanding arrest warrants, Sanchez said.

A total of 15 guns were seized during the operation, as was an unspecified amount of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, Sanchez said.

-- City News Service