Multiple MS13 Arrests In and Around “Malibu Hills” Made by LASD/LOST HILLS Since January

Authorities announced the arrests of 22 people Tuesday in a massive organized crime case alleging MS-13 gang members are responsible for “Medieval Style Murders” in the Los Angeles region, where the gang has had a presence since forming there in the 1980s.

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs, which includes local law enforcement officers and FBI agents, made the arrests.

**Sheriff Alex Villanueva was among law enforcement officials at the press conference announcing the indictments.**

The vicious crimes committed by MS13 gang members included locations in the “Malibu Hills” as released by authorities. The Local Malibu reached out to Acting Captain Chuck Becerra of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department and asked him to elaborate on the circumstance regarding the MS13 incidents in our area, and how deputies in the field are handling these extremely dangerous criminals.

“In response to this challenge, the majority of the deputies assigned to Malibu/Lost Hills Station have undergone specialized training specific to MS-13, their modus, their tactics, and their practices. The training was administered by experts in this field deemed to be the authorities in this subject matter. Several weeks following the training, LHS deputies conducted a traffic stop of alleged MS-13 gang members and affiliates and made several arrests. After a preliminary investigation of the suspects in this arrest, the detectives concluded the deputies who conducted the traffic stop thwarted another potentially deadly assault.” said Becerra. “Its important to note this station has established open lines of communication with our partners at LAPD, VCSD, CHP, and the Department of Justice regarding MS-13 and are working tirelessly to address this latest challenge.” he concluded.

Shortly before the murder of Tristan Beaudette, the body of Reynaldo Cruz 52, was found on May 16th, 2018, dumped in a ditch in front of the Hindu Temple, not far from entrance to the Malibu Creek State Park. Cruz’s body displayed distinct markings of an MS13 execution style gang hit.

The second (decomposed) body found was Roger Chavez Barahona, a 19 year old latino male, found near Fire Camp 8 on July 19. Coroner reports state that Barahona died as a result of gunshot wounds and authorities confirmed the homicide was gang related.

The indictments, unsealed this week after prosecutors made their arrests, allege members of the gang’s San Fernando Valley stronghold committed seven murders, some including torture and dismemberment.

United States Attorney Nick Hanna, US Attorney for the Central District of California, released this statement: “We have now taken off the streets nearly two dozen people associated with the most violent arm of MS-13 in Los Angeles, where the gang is believed to have killed 24 people over the past two years. This investigation has been an unqualified success. The collaborative law enforcement effort solved several murder cases and dealt a severe blow to members of the gang who engaged in acts of brutality not seen in the region for over 20 years.”