Police are investigating a series of gang-related crimes in
Morgan Hill, including a shooting that did not result in any
reported injuries or property damage.
Police are investigating a series of gang-related crimes in Morgan Hill, including a shooting that did not result in any reported injuries or property damage.
Monday’s shooting might have been a retaliation to an earlier incident in which two alleged gang members vandalized a parked vehicle that belonged to a rival, Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer said.
Police received a call reporting the vandalism about 8:15 p.m. According to police reports and witness statements, two alleged gang members near Main and Hale avenues saw two males they thought were members of a rival gang and ran after them on foot.
The pursuers were unable to catch up to the alleged rivals, and returned to the shopping center near Main and Hale avenues, where the rivals’ green Honda Civic was parked, Neumayer said. The alleged aggressors then broke the windshield and placed several dents in the car by hitting it.
Arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism was Luis Pacheco, 18 of Gilroy, and a 17-year-old male from Morgan Hill, police said. Pacheco was booked into county jail, and the juvenile was cited and released.
About 20 minutes later, police responded to a call reporting gunshots fired near Del Monte and Cosmo avenues. A citizen driving by an apartment complex in the area reported hearing a gunshot coming from an area where about a dozen people were standing. The witness then reportedly looked toward the crowd and “saw somebody with a gun, and saw the muzzle (of the gun) flash,” Neumayer said.
Upon investigation, police determined the unidentified male suspect shot two rounds at an older-model white two-door Honda which fled the area, Neumayer said.
Police canvassed the area and “it didn’t appear (the rounds) hit the car,” Neumayer said. No injuries were reported.
About 10 to 15 people who were standing around the apartment complex are considered suspects in the incident, Neumayer said. However, due to darkness police do not have a description of the shooter.
Police are “following some leads” to determine if the shooting and vandalism are related. Both incidents appear to be gang-related.
An uptick of gang-related activity, including violence and graffiti tagging, has occurred in Morgan Hill in recent weeks, particularly in the area of Galvan Park, which is located between Hale and Crest avenues in northwest Morgan Hill.
“It could be that one gang is starting to move into the area, and trying to claim territory from another gang,” Neumayer said.
Anyone with information about the incidents may call Morgan Hill Police Detective Mario Ramirez at (408) 779-2101.
