Six Members Of Salinas-Based “Murder Squad” Indicted On Federal Racketeering Charges
On January 12, 2017, Siaki Tavale, Alvarado, Garcia, and others went hunting for rival gang members to kill. Their hunt led them to Sunrise Street and to a group of Hispanic men outside a house party. The shooters opened fire at the group. Four victims were shot, two were killed. There was no evidence the victims were actually gang members. After the shooting, the shooters led police officers on a high speed chase, crashed and abandoned their vehicle, and fled on foot.
On February 11, 2017, Siaki Tavale, Alvarado, and others again went hunting in Salinas. This time, the defendants encountered a small group of Hispanic men outside the Hebbron Heights Community Center. The shooters fired at least 18 shots at the men, striking one victim in the head and killing him. The shooters were driving in a stolen SUV that had been doused in gasoline earlier that day, as a precaution in case it needed to be set on fire.
The next day, on February 12, 2017, Siaki Tavale and Alvarado were joined by Anelu Tavale and others as they again hunted for rival Sureno gang members to kill. The group was driving in the same stolen SUV as the day before when they encountered two Hispanic men in another vehicle. The defendants perceived the men in the other vehicle to be rival Sureno gang members, and followed the vehicle to a residence on Orchard Avenue. After the vehicle pulled into the driveway, the shooters opened fire. The shooters fired at least 20 shots at the two victims. The victims survived, but suffered gunshot wounds to the neck, torso, and upper back.
On March 25, 2017, Alvarado, Magat, Garcia, and others again went hunting for rival gang members to kill. This hunt was organized to retaliate for the recent killing of a fellow Norteno gang member. While driving on Dennis Avenue, the hunters happened upon two Hispanic men in the driveway of a residence. The shooters fired at least 32 shots at these men, killing them. One victim was killed in the driveway, while the other was chased to the backyard of the residence. There was no evidence either of the victims was actually a gang member.
On May 13, 2017, Alvarado, Magat, and others again went hunting for rival gang members to kill. When they reached Paloma Avenue in Salinas, they spotted a young Hispanic man standing on the front porch of a residence. The shooters fired at least 15 shots at the victim, hitting him in the head and killing him. There was no evidence the victim was a gang member.
On June 11, 2018, Magat, Valdez, Anelu Tavale, and others again went hunting for rival gang members to kill. The group spotted a man walking down Center Street, fired at least 19 shots, and killed him. As before, there was no evidence the victim was a member of a rival gang.
On November 3, 2018, Valdez, Anelu Tavale, and others again went hunting for rival Sureno gang members to kill. This time, the purpose of the hunt was to commemorate the birthday of a deceased gang member. The shooters spotted a man walking on North Hebbron Avenue, and fired at least 35 shots at him. The victim was shot in the head and killed. Again, there was no evidence that this victim was actually a gang member.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/six-members-salinas-based-murder-squad-indicted-federal-racketeering-charges