Gang Targets SoCal Cops With Bombing Attempts, Arson

Hemet police training.

The latest incident was reported Tuesday night: Four city pickups with with amber light bars were torched across the street from the police department and its gang-enforcement office, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise. The arson on Florida Avenue was reported at 11:30 p.m., the paper reports. It follows a series of attacks on local gang cops, and authorities believe the crimes are connected.

Last month someone rigged a gun to go off at the parking-lot entrance to the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Gang Task Force offices. It did fire, but no one was hit. Then a gang officer found a device under his car. On New Year's Eve a gas line to the office was rigged so that it could have triggered a deadly explosion. Verbal threats have also been made.

The Riverside District Attorney indicated the Vagos motorcycle gang, subject of a St. Patrick's Day sweep by Riverside authorities, might be behind the attacks, but so far no solid links have been made.

A $200,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to a conviction in the case. Anyone with 411 was asked to call 951-765-3897.