Pictured Above: Evidence seized during the raid. Source: Long Beach Police Department.

On Wednesday, 17 gang members were arrested after a robbery ring crackdown occurred in Long Beach. These gang members were from various Asian gangs in Orange County, Los Angeles and Long Beach who were involved in home invasion robberies in Orange County and Long Beach. After being arrested, they were charged with the felonies of forgery, fraud, robbery, theft, burglary, drug possession, possession of stolen items and parole violations.

The felonies of fraud and robbery are already serious crimes. However, if these crimes are done in furtherance of the gang, defendants face even harsher punishments. For example, if a felony robbery is committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, a mandatory term of prison time is added to the robbery sentence. In addition, if a gun is used, the defendant faces even more prison time.

Therefore, if you are charged with a crime in furtherance of a criminal street gang, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you. Common defenses to robbery include lack of intent to take the item, mistaken identity, no force used to take the item or false accusations.