Weekend incidents keep gang detectives hustling

It was a busy weekend in Salt Lake County for gang-related crimes. But gang detectives said they weren't sure there was any connection between the incidents other than that they involved gang members.

Taylorsville police along with members of the Salt Lake Metro Gang unit stopped a car Friday just after 8 p.m. near 1500 South and 1000 West and found drugs and a weapon. "Roscoe," a police K9 from Salt Lake City police, found methamphetamine and a gun hidden in a compartment behind the car stereo, said Salt Lake City police detective Dwayne Baird.

Members of the Metro Gang Unit and Salt Lake City Gang Unit went to the Colonial Motel, 1530 S. Main, just after midnight Saturday where they received information regarding suspects wanted in an earlier shooting incident. Two guns were recovered and the suspects allegedly involved were identified, according to police.

Also early Saturday, multiple shots were fired at a group of people having a party in the front yard of a house near 300 North and 800 West. One man struck in the back was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The incident was gang-related, according to Salt Lake City police.

Not far away from that incident near 300 North 1000 West about 1 a.m. Sunday two men who were just arriving home were met by several other men as they stepped out of their car. Words were exchanged and the two men were stabbed during the ensuing fight. Both were transported to the hospital in fair condition, according to Salt Lake City police.

Two hours after that incident, two victims were allegedly assaulted with a club by two 17-year-old boys near 1200 West California Ave. Police later arrested two suspects and booked them into juvenile detention. Six other juveniles with the teens who were arrested were cited for consumption of alcohol by a minor. The incident was listed as a gang-related problem by Salt Lake City police.

About 4 a.m. Sunday, a man was knocked off his bicycle near 1200 North and 300 West, beaten and his bike stolen, according to Salt Lake City police. Suspects were later arrested by police who called it a gang-related incident.

Sgt. Bill Robertson, with the Metro Gang Unit, said though it was a busy weekend for gang units, he does not believe the incidents are a sign of any escalating violence or tension among gangs. Robertson said he did not know if any of the incidents were related.

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