Four Arrested After Gang Related Drive-By

Four Arrested After Gang Related Drive-By

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 teams from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Medford Police Department served four search warrants to residences in White City.  Both SWAT teams from JCSO and MPD assisted in the warrant services, as well as detectives from MADGE and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  In the past month, there has been a surge in gang-related violence in the White City area.  The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has responded to two drive by shootings and a fight.

The search warrants were the result of a two week investigation into a drive by shooting that occurred on May 7, 2014 around 7:00 pm on Hale Way, in White City.  A home near the shooting was hit by several shotgun rounds fired from a vehicle with four male occupants.  The suspect vehicle was a blue Pontiac Sunfire.  As it left the area at a high rate of speed, it crashed into a yard and nearly hit the resident standing outside his home.  The vehicle was disabled by the crash.  The suspects fled the scene and left behind a shotgun.

Three of the four individuals were arrested on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 after a gang-related fight broke out in White City.  Neighbors called 911 just before 6:00 p.m. to report a fight in progress at the intersection of Jacqueline Way and Avenue C.

Osbaldo David Espinoza, 21, of White City, Cristobal Lynn Barajas, 21, of White City, and a 17 year old juvenile male, from White City were taken into custody following the fight.  The juvenile was armed with a loaded handgun.  Investigators also believe he was the gunman in the May 7, 2014 drive-by shooting. 

The fourth suspect, Christian Omar Espinoza, 19, of White City was arrested in his home in the 3200 block of Antelope Road during the service of one of the search warrants on Wednesday.  Investigators believe Christian Espinoza was the driver in the May 7, 2014 incident. 

All four suspects are associated with the Sureños gang. 

Investigators seized several items related to the drive by shooting in the suspects’ residences.  A stolen bicycle was also recovered.  There were not any guns or any drugs seized in Wednesday’s incident.  Detectives are working with the District Attorney’s Office to determine specific charges related to the shooting.

Search warrant locations include homes in the 2700 block of Falcon Drive, 8000 block of Isabella Way, and two homes in the 3200 block of Antelope Road. 

1 2