Police arrested two Gilroy men this week who are accused of taking part in a gang-related assault in the city’s downtown more than a year ago.
In December 2023, three victims were violently attacked by a group of males in what investigators determined was a gang-motivated incident, according to the Gilroy Police Department. One of the victims suffered serious injuries.
Officers continued to investigate and learned that the attack was intended to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses who were connected to a 2001 gang-related homicide in Gilroy, police said.
Based on the results of Gilroy PD’s investigation, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office issued felony arrest warrants for two suspects involved in the December 2023 assault, police said. On April 18, the Gilroy/Morgan Hill SWAT Team and City of Santa Clara Police served the warrants at the suspects’ homes.
Both suspects were taken into custody. Police identified the suspects as Gilroy residents George Plaza, 49, and Paul Plaza, 51.
Gilroy PD noted the investigation and arrests were also supported by the Campbell Police SWAT and K-9 teams, the sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, county Specialized Enforcement Team and the San Benito County Criminal Apprehension Suppression Prevention Response Team.
While serving the arrest warrants, officers located and seized stolen and illegal firearms, plus ammunition, at the suspects’ homes, police said.
