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Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

Deputies arrest six validated gang members for robbery

Victim says suspects surrounded him at Merced County Fairgrounds event.

The incident was reported around 9 p.m. during the Empressa Valdivia Spanish Dance event. Merced County sheriff's detectives Jason Cope and Jason Jacklitsch were approached at the fairgrounds by security guards, who said there was a disturbance in the Commerce Building, according to Deputy Tom MacKenzie, sheriff's spokesman.

Witnesses and the 17-year-old male victim said seven Planada gang members had surrounded him and stolen his gold necklace. They were able to point out the suspects, who were just walking away as the detectives arrived, MacKenzie said.

The detectives stopped six of the seven suspects, but the victim couldn't identify the seventh.

The suspects arrested were Rafael Gonzalez, 20, Antonio Diaz, 20, Francisco Gallardo, 21, Antonio Duran, 21, Fidel Bedolla, 22, and Ignacio Elias, 20.

The victim reported the group surrounded him, asking if he claimed a gang. When the victim said he wasn't involved in gangs, they repeated gang slurs and took his necklace, MacKenzie said.

One of the suspects told witnesses if they reported the incident, the group would come back and kill them.

While conducting the investigation, detectives found a loaded .38 caliber revolver on one of the suspects.

MacKenzie said all the suspects are validated gang members from Planada. They were booked into Merced County Jail on charges ranging from robbery to making terrorist threats.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.