Police department tricks gang members with fake press release (VIDEO)

KSBY.com | San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Area News

The Santa Maria Police Department is facing some heat after it was discovered that a press release put out by the department in February was completely fake. But the Police chief said he did it to save lives, it worked, and he’d do it all over again.

Authorities learned that cousins Jose Santos Melendez and Jose Marino Melendez had been put on a hit list by the MS-13 gang and, already facing one of the city’s deadliest months, the department decided to take an unconventional step to protect the men and nab a few other gang members in the process.

The department put out a fake press release saying that the men had been arrested when, in fact, they were placed in protective custody.

Santa Maria Police Chief Ralph Martin noted that the fake news release effectively protected the men without alerting the gang to the fact that they were being watched by authorities. In addition to saving the men’s lives, the fake news release also allowed the department to continue their surveillance on the gang for another three weeks.

During that time, authorities gathered enough evidence to arrest 17 gang members on 10 murder charges, as well as for plotting to kill eight others, including the Melendez cousins.

Despite backlash from the media, Martin stands behind the department’s decision to issue the fake news release.

[ KSBY ]

Read More On:

Military & Police

Latest Reviews

Going Big with .50 BMG: Barrett M82A1 Rifle Review

Few firearms on the market are as iconic as our subject today. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve likely seen the .50-caliber Barrett M82A1 on the news, at the range, or even in countless video games.
Read More
The Practical Hunter’s Custom: Magnum Research Mountain Eagle Rifle

This sleek rifle, with its spiral fluted bolt, stainless action, and linear graphite barrel, is an eye-catcher without question. But will it shoot?
Read More
The Baby Glock Centimeter: A Review of the New G29 Gen 5 10mm Carry Pistol

Whether straying into the backcountry or just a fan of the 10mm Auto, Glock has long had one of the smallest carry guns offered in that caliber and we have been kicking around its latest variant for a couple of months.
Read More
AMT Backup .380 Review: Fun With a Retro Pocket Pistol

I’m rather fascinated with pocket guns, so when I came across this AMT Backup 380 in Guns.com's Certified Used stockpile, I had to give it a try. It's an interesting and affordable retro pistol.
Read More

revolver barrel loading graphic

Loading