Neighbors' Tips Lead to Oakland Gang Leader's Arrest
Oakland police say they've nailed the leader of a well-armed street gang responsible for a serious of retaliatory shootings last month.
Bad blood between two groups, known as the "71st Avenue Bandits" and the "DP" or "Dirty People" have simmered since 2003. But early last month a daytime shooting on 71st set of a series of retaliatory strikes that equaled 10 shootings in less than two weeks that terrorized east Oakland.
Oakland Police Captain Ersey Joyner says it was diligent police work, along with tips from the community that made the difference.
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"The thing that I'm most proud of is the fact that the citizens of that neighborhood banded together to take a stand and say that enough is enough," said Joyner. "We received anonymous tips, as well as people that came forward and told us not only the history of what's going on, but projected what they thought was going to happen, and the location of their hideout."
That tip led police to the 2500 block of 10th Avenue Monday night, where they arrested 26-year-old Phillip Grimes, thought to be the leader of the 71st Avenue Bandits, along with two other gang members. They also confiscated a pump-action shotgun, a M11 automatic assault pistol, and a handgun.
