Stockton cops nab 34 gang members including Filipinos

Members of Asian Boyz Gang arrested in Stockton, California crackdown. STOCKTON PD

STOCKTON, California —Stockton Police Department on Thursday arrested 34 alleged members of the Asian Boyz Gang, which includes several Filipinos.

The police’s “Operation Criptonyte,” aimed at disrupting criminal street gangs in the city of Stockton, began in June 2020, and has resulted in 55 search warrants, 38 recovered firearms, $40,000 seized, and 34 arrests for various criminal activities, ABC10 News reported.

Stockton police say more arrests are expected as officers continue to crack down on gang-related crime.

Stockton Police Department show firearms collected during gang crackdown. STOCKTON PD

The investigation was mostly aimed at certain street gangs in Stockton: the Asian Boyz, Muddy Boyz Crips, Lil Ruthless Criminals Comstocc Crips, Loctown Crips, and Asian Crips, SPD said.

Investigators highlighted some of the arrests:

• Lawrence Carolino, 19, Amanda Arcaina, 20, Larissa Constancio-Galvez, 21, and a female juvenile were arrested for an April 2020 shooting in which one victim was shot.
• Anthony Comans, 30, and Kwabena Twumasi, 35, of Arizona were arrested for conspiracy and illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. During a search, police uncovered 21 guns in their car alone.
• Soktara Hem, 29, was arrested for illegal possession of an assault weapon, marijuana sales violations, and illegal transfer of a firearm.
• Eric Ypon, 35, and Mark Moeutt, 18, were arrested for illegal transfer of a firearm and gang enhancements.
• Kevin Chhin, 24, of Long Beach, was arrested for sales of narcotics, felon in possession of a firearm, and gang enhancements.

While many arrests involved specific gang activity, drugs and illegal firearms, Stockton police were also able to uncover criminal activity related to Unemployment Insurance fraud.

Rayniko Flores, 21, Michelle Tahod, 41, and Jerry Flores, 70, were arrested for their roles in EDD fraud and the identity theft of numerous victims.