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A new investigation into the 2004 shooting death of 17-year-old Alejandro “Alex” Fernandez has led to the arrest of two main suspects, the alleged driver and shooter. The father of the driver, a city employee, was also arrested for allegedly lying under oath in front of a grand jury.
The arrests were made thanks to an FBI-organized task force working out of the Mountain View police department which re-interviewed dozens of witnesses when the case was reopened last year. Major breaks in the case came with the help of something police say is rarely used in Santa Clara County — a grand jury investigation — something more commonly used by the FBI. Witnesses who refused to talk to police in the past were subpoenaed and successfully made to testify under oath in front of the grand jury with the threat of perjury charges hanging over them.
“We always felt like people weren’t giving us information they had,” said police spokeswoman Elizabeth Wylie.
Fernandez was fatally shot while walking down Rengstorff Avenue near Latham Street on Sept. 24, 2004 with his friends. Wylie said Fernandez, a junior at Los Altos High School who had told police he was a Sureno gang member, approached the car and was allegedly shot multiple times in the torso by 24-year-old Mountain View resident Giovanni Duarte, a self-admitted member of the rival Norteno gang called “Varrio Mountain View,” or “VMV,” Wylie said. He was 17 at the time.
“We think the motive was gang-related but a random act of gang violence,” that did not specifically target Fernandez, Wylie said.
Police quietly arrested Duarte March 23 and he is being held without bail. He faces 50 years to life in prison on charges of gang-related murder.
And police arrested Mountain View resident Anthony Figueroa, 23, at his Leong Drive home on Friday for allegedly driving his family’s car to enable the drive-by-shooting. Figueroa, another member of the VMV gang, also faces 50 years to life in prison for gang murder charges, said Frank Carrubba, a deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County.
Also arrested Friday was Figueroa’s father, Arthur Figueroa, 49, a parks maintenance worker for the city of Mountain View whom police believe has ties to the VMV gang. Carrubba said Arthur Figueroa “lied regarding contact and conversations with murder suspect Marlan Ruiz pertaining to grand jury proceedings.” Because of a gang enhancement and a prior strike on his record, Figueroa faces up to 17 years in prison instead of a maximum of four years for perjury, Carrubba said.
Arthur Figeroa was arrested while riding as a passenger in a city-owned vehicle while on the job Friday. He was hired in 2006, and the city “at that time did not do criminal history checks,” on prospective employees, Wylie said. “We do now.” City management is “reviewing his original application for inaccuracy and in the future will make a determination if discipline up to termination is appropriate.”
Police are still seeking the arrest of three others who were riding in the car at the time of the shooting.
Grand jury a ‘valuable tool’
The 2004 murder of Fernandez rocked the city and was the only gang-related murder for years. Wylie said police had a bookshelf full of files with leads, witness interviews and suspect profiles but the case “essentially stalled.”
After re-interviewing every witness, investigators “started to get new witnesses — people with new information,” Wylie said. “They did a ton of surveillance. Ultimately they were able to identify Giovanni as the likely shooter and Figueroa as the driver of the car that day.”
Police say they also had the advantage of the suspects being less cautious than they were right after the murder took place, but a big factor was the power of the grand jury to get witnesses talking.
“People who are unwilling to speak to police have a right to turn around and walk out the door,” Carrubba said. “But with a grand jury investigation, witnesses can be made to show up through subpoena and the presiding judge can compel them to answer questions.” Witnesses can also claim their Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions, but only against the possibility of incriminating themselves, Carrubba said.
The arrests should send a clear message to the two gangs involved that they “can’t get away with murder,” Wylie said. “We’re not just going to let it go away,” Carrubba added. “These cases are going to be prosecuted.”
Longtime rivalry
The two gangs allegedly involved in the murder each have over 100 members in Mountain View, Wylie said. Surenos have operated in the city about 20 years, identifying themselves with the color blue and the Roman numeral for 13: “XIII.” The VMV members use the color red and the Roman numerals for 14: “XIV.” VMV is believed to have existed in the city for at least 35 years, Wylie said.
Wylie said the case was the focus of a local gang task force formed in 2010 by the FBI under the Safe Streets Act that is now housed in the Mountain View police building. The team included a pair of Mountain View officers, Sgt. Dan Vicencio and Det. Saul Jaeger, a Sunnyvale police officer and two FBI agents.
“This case has been their focus from the get-go,” Wylie said.
Police Chief Scott Vermeer said the arrests were “a success story” for the task force, a form of collaboration that he said was the future of law enforcement.
“It was very frustrating for a number of years that we could not solve this case,” Vermeer said. “There is a lot of satisfaction and a lot of pride for all the people involved after so much time and so much work.”
random act of gang violence? You must be kidding, Mr.Wylie. There is nothing random about gangs. Gangs want to kill people if they sense any kind of opposition to their way of thinking and acting. In other words, they want to run everything in their own way. They don’t think they have to obey anyone or follow any lwas of the land. Its their way or no way.
Thank you MVPD and FBI
Breaking down the non-gang members who nevertheless lie to protect them could be key to finally ending the gang menace in our city.
Score one for the good guys! Let’s hope they got the right suspects and that the evidence holds up in trial.
“You must be kidding, Mr.Wylie”
You mean Ms. Wylie (“Elizabeth Wylie”)
“they want to run everything in their own way”
Sounds like a lot of other groups, both illegal and legal.
It is unbelievable, and disturbing, that the City of Mountain View did not do background checks on new employees as recently as 2006, possibly later?
Seems that they were arrested based on hearsay and not evidence. Certainly the victim’s goons will point towards the rival they detest the most.
Good job MVPD.
And add me to the list of those shocked by the lack of background checks. Companies in the private sector were doing these routinely 10+ years ago.
We’ve seen the senior Figueroa many, many times at Rengstorf park. Since that is known as a gang hangout it makes me wonder what he was really up to.
“Surenos have existed in the city about 20 years, identifying themselves with the color blue and the roman numeral for 14: “XII.” BMV members use the color red and the roman numerals for 13: “XIV.”
Actually, Surenos identify themselves with the number 13 which is roman numeral “XIII”, while Nortenos identify themselves with a 14, roman numeral “XIV”.
At least you got the colors right. Not a banger, just knowing.
Hey, Daniel! Get the “lead” out and use a “led” instead.
I’m familiar with the father, Mr. Figueroa, and I’ve witnessed first hand what kind of dirty deeds he is capable of. A very intimidating individul with a very dark side.
Good Job MVPD and FBI!!!!! I’m happy to see that they will not get away with this and that Mountain View can sleep a little sounder tonight!
WOW CITY WORKER THAT WAS A KNOWN VMV GANG MEMBER. APPARENTLY MR FIGUEROA SUPERVISED THE WEEKEND WARRIOR CREWS AND PROBABLY WAS RECRUITING GANG MEMBERS AND IS A CONVICTED FELON. HOW CAN I FEEL SAFE IN MY CITY MTN. VIEW, PRETTY DISTURBING!
Innocent until proven guilty. Hearsay shouldnt lead to a conviction.
Wow what childish comments above. I can tell they never had an education. Too bad they arent lawyers so they could actually defend their buddies in court.
It’s sad to see that people can be charged strictly based on hearsay and for everyone to respond so horribly to something they know NOTHING about. I doubt anyone posting on this REALLY even knows these people.
There is gang activity in Mountain View. I have seen people with gang tats and colors all over the city. I am glad FBI is helping us.
So much for innocent until proven guilty – it took 7 years before they finally “started to get NEW witnesses”?
MV-
There is also apparently gang activity in City Hall given the elder Figeuroa works for them. So relax. Illegal and gangs and overpaid administrators getting early retirement is what Mountain View is all about. And I’m not surprised the Mountain View police couldn’t solve this. They can’t even arrest someone and impound the car they were driving for driving without a license! That’s what you get when you put out the welcome mat.
I can’t believe it took MVPD 7 years to supposably solve the case. Thats bad police work if you ask me. They need to have prof beyond a reasonable doubt, if they want to get a conviction, that means they need the murder weapon and an eyewitness to identify the driver and shooter. Peoples memory starts to fade after awhile especially when you have lawyers trying to get statements that are in their favor, this just confuses the person on the stand, which i believe will work in favor of the accused suspects. If they have no hard evidence these guys are going to walk. Step it up MVPD its not like there a ton of crime happing in the city. The fact the FBI got involved is mind boggling. There is nothing federal about this investigation and proves that the MVPD can’t do their job correctly.
It’s horrible but is it true after all these years? I hate what happened but Mr. Figuroa probably did what anyone would do if in fact he lied to protect his son.
Good Job MVPD…nice to see FBI teamwork.
I personally don’t like the Figuero family but still see the inconsideration by MV Voice to not only state senior Figuero’s work place (or from what is insinuated, former workplace) but to write the street name of the family’s residence. If MVPD really wanted to stop gang violence & make Mountain View a safer community for all they would’ve kept the arrests underwraps at least until possible conviction. MVPD & publisher’s of the article should be ashamed.
For all the people casting judgment, shame on you! I’m not saying what was done was right, but who are WE to judge others actions? And for the person that said “I saw senior Figueroa many, many time at Rengstorf park” did you see him with his family or did you see him working? But don’t assume anything until you know for sure. I was born and raised in Mountain View and for someone to say “Oh, I saw her at Rengsorf Park late in the evening.” Would that be enough evidence to say I’m doing drugs and hooking at the park? No, it’s a public park just like Cuesta and Shoreline Park. These parks are for the community and if you feel that it’s a gang infested area do something about it and clean up your neighborhood don’t just sit in the background and say “Oh, I saw him at the park.”
And for the person that wrote “I’ve witnessed first hand what kind of dirty deeds he is capable of.” We’re all capable of dirty deeds! And if you supposedly witnessed anything inappropriate first hand and you did nothing about it, then you are just as guilty as the so called dirty deed you claimed to have seen.
As for the Voice to say that Mr. Figueroa has ties to VMV, hello we were all kids over twenty (20) years ago. So do you punish everyone for their youth? President Obama got high in his younger days, President Bush was a drunk but we as humans all grow with time. Are you going to tell me that you, the entire VOICE has never done ANY THING wrong or illegal in your life time?
We should have compassion for all parties involved. My heart goes out to ALL the families.
I’m the one who saw him at Rengstorff. I’m sure he was working (mostly). It’s just a pretty convenient work site for someone who wants to keep their eyes and ears open to the gang activity that is known to happen there. That’s all. Not sure why you are getting so huffy over judgement. We’re human, we do it.
To all of you above that are making judgments on something you know nothing about. STOP IT!! People make mistakes! I am not saying what has happened is ok, it’s definitely not, a life was lost and that is never ok. But it is up to our judicial system to figure out whether Anthony or Arthur is guilty not YOU. There is already a mother who has lost her son and now there might be another one. That is punishment enough for these families; they don’t need your ignorance as well. This entire story is tragic, and both these families have been destroyed. Remember that one day you might be judged, will you like what someone will say about you. Can you look in the mirror and honestly say you are perfect. The answer is NO.
As for all the papers and news channels, telling everyone where this family lives and works. SHAME ON YOU!!! Let’s say this is “gang related” as you say. Do you honestly think the other gang won’t retaliate? Now that they know who supposedly killed this young boy 7 years ago, do you honestly think they won’t take this into their own hands? That’s smart, let’s add more violence to this, and let’s kill more innocent people. Good job you should all be so proud!
As for the MVPD and FBI, kudos to you! It took hard work to get an arrest in the case. Let’s just hope your right, and not desperate. Let’s just hope you did your job and got the right guys! Let’s just hope you have all your ducks in a row. Cause if not, and these people you arrested are innocent it’s your department that will be embarrassed. I guarantee that the media you have been using to get your good news out about the arrest of a cold case 7 years ago, they will quickly turn on you and make you your department look just as bad and they are doing to this family.
Ultimately no one wins here. One family has already been destroyed and another is the process.
After reading all the post all I can say my heart goes out to the slain 17 year old kids family! It’s unfortunate that he chose to be involved in gang activity that ultimately led to his demise! But no one has the right to kill another human being. The Figueroa father and son as well as Giovani Duarte will have their day in court. But let’s not forget that we need to raise our children to have respect for one another as well as the law! Would I lie to save my kid?, I’m not really sure, probably not in this case! First and foremost I would insist that they tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may!!!! Everything you do in life has consequences, good or bad!
wow alot of judgement for ppl that don’t know what they are talking about…How many of you ppl that made comments about this family actually know the family OR the neighboorhood or whats really going on? That neighboor hood used to be home. Reignestorff was OUR park before all you yuppy ppl moved in and took over, so for Art to be at the park ANYTIME has been normal for me for the last 45 years! So the lady who is wondering whats going on with him being there, thats just you starting something else…The heart of Mt View is this family…my family..that neighboor hood is family. I don’t know whats going on and i don’t need to know, I DO know that there are mothers that are dying inside right now, for all you people making comments that really don’t need to be made why don’t you just send some prayers to the families involved and leave it at that…My love goes out to my neighbor hood family..
Good job MVPD, keep them coming. Make Mountain View Gang Free.
Wow, Tracy, most Mexican gangs place a lot of emphasis on family and neighborhood and territorial control such as all that OUR park nonsense you mention. Sounds like you are endorsing gang culture more than anything else and above rational thought.
I too was raised in the same neighborhood the Figueroa’s grew up in and it’s sad and heartbreaking to read the passing judgment for a family majority of people responding do not know. The articles written in my opinion have been somewhat biased, not one word was extended to show another side of the Figueroa family’s life. Arthur and his family has been a fixture in our neighborhood for their entire lives…. Arthur has always shown himself to be a hard working man who supported his family no matter where he worked and what positions he held. He’s helped out neighbors throughout the years including ours whenever we had plumbing problems, car issues, etc. Granted, there are always two sides to every story, but unfortunately, any positive attributes a defendant may have are rarely ever stated. Sadly it just doesn’t provide enough sensationalism to sell papers….
Also if this is truly a gang enhanced issue, I wish the Gang Task Force would have seriously taken this into consideration before releasing the location of the Figueroas residence so openly. I can only hope this information will not endanger their family nor anyone else within our neighborhood due to any displays of gang retaliation.
As stated in many of these comments, we have a judicial system in place to handle the law. We as a community within Mountain View should rise above all this and let the courts handle it. It’s a very sad situation for both families. Having dealt with a tragedy of a family member murdered, it’s a very long and painful process that involves unending grief. Praying for these families, especially from a mother’s perspective to help them get through each day is the best display of support we each can provide as a community under these terribly sad circumstances for all involved.
It is sad that as a community were able to pass judgement & now state what “horrible” people the Figueroa father/son duo are but why weren’t the horrible acts everyone all of a sudden recalls reported initially? wether it pertains to the death of Alex or another criminal activity. I am sure none of us commenting on the article actually witnessed the shooting of Alex so how are we all so quick to assume guilt. Both Duarte & Figueroa deserve their day in court, until convicted we must assume that they are innocent which in fact would make the Figueroa father innocent as well. Duarte & Figueroa both are remebered by my children as athletes. Maybe it’s time we think of these young men as what they are instead of what they could possibly be.
Observer? Just out of curiosity? How long have you been in Mt. View? “Wow” Mexican gangs place alot of emphesis on family and neighborhood like my nonsence I mention???? Well in THAT neighborhood Yes back in the day thats excatly what we were taught to focus on FAMILY…it was called family values and community sticking together…AND BY THE WAY …Im as white as they come and MY WHITE mom taught me the same values…Ill tell you what observer Please go read Neighboorhood moms comments. She worded it perfect…
thank you for following through MVPD and FBI. This is wonderful news! Alejandro (Alex)was a truly nice kid. He was a classmate of my Daughter’s. She, and her friends were deeply saddened by his death. We live in the neighborhood. It was a horrifying, and sad time. Another senseless death.
For those who chose not to read the article, allow me to highlight the pertinent points that make clear that these three were gang members:
“The arrests were made thanks to an FBI-organized task force working out of the Mountain View police department.”
“Giovanni Duarte, a self-admitted member of the rival Norteno gang called “Varrio Mountain View.”
Figueroa, another member of the VMV gang, also faces 50 years to life in prison for gang murder charges.”
“Because of a gang enhancement and a prior strike on his record, Figueroa faces up to 17 years in prison.”
Figueroa senior it seems already has a strike against his record as well, but every is pretty hushed up by that fact.
I am further perplexed by saddened’s comment as well. Just because seven years have gone by, and no one spoke up at the time (mostly due to those great gang virtues and culture, and not BTW the family and hood ones) doesn’t lessen their impending guilty charge.
Funny how the vast majority of Mountain View resident stay clear of gangs while still supporting community and family values. I, for one, don’t want these creeps as fixtures of my neighborhood.
A sad situation for a lot of people that were affected by this action. I coached a young Gio Duarte and knew him to be a polite and generally a nice kid. I know this weighs heavy on his family and if he’s found guilty should get what’s coming to him. I hope all the families involved will be able to move on and more so I hope these kids understand gang violence will not be tolerated.
People that decide to join the gang lifestyle know what the future holds for them. Both Gio and Alex were in the game and this is just the end result. Nobody wins, at least from our perspective.
FYI i heard rumors about Gio and Alex having problems at school before the shooting. I believe there was a fight that happened at school not too long before Alex got shot. Although I also heard he was dating some chick from the opposite gang at the time too. Hmmm i wonder if that had anything to do with it.
NE ways you can’t change the past but you can change the present. Please if you know people in this lifestyle, engage them and make them realize that this isn’t the way to live life. Remind them that you either end up dead or in prison for a long time. I think prison is even worse then death, imagine being there 50 years, by the time you get out, your life will be over. So sad, indeed. Anyone reading this whether you have friends or family members in a gang: condone their behavior and lifestyle.
Thanks
Mark
THE POLICE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING BY SUPPLYING INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION,THE PHOTOS,NAMES,AND ADDRESS OF THE ACCUSED,AND THE VICTIM, THEY ARE WAITING FOR SURENO’S AND NORTENO’S RETALIATION TOWARDS ONE AND OTHER, PITTING MTN. VIEW RESIDENTS AGAINST EACH OTHER.
WHAT HAPPENED TO INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, THE ENTIRE TOWN IS TALKING ABOUT THIS AND IT’S GETTING VERY HEATED, THE POLICE NEED TO QUIT MAKING EXCUSES.
I KNOW THE FIGUEROA FAMILY, I PRAY AND SUPPORT THEM DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME, I ALSO SAY A PRAYER FOR THE VICTIM AND HIS FAMILY, AND ALL MTN.VIEW RESIDENTS.
OUR SMALL TOWN IS HEADED FOR VERY DIFFICULT TIMES, WE NEED THE POLICE TO DO THEIR JOB HONESTLY AND FAIRLY, AN WE NEED OUR CITY COUNCIL TO HELP MTN.VIEW KIDS GET A BETTER EDUCATION,WE NEED POSITIVE AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR OUR YOUTH. EVERY ONE ELSE NEEDS TO STAY COOL.
LIFE LONG RESIDENT RJ#49 RAISED IN REX MANOR LIVING IN WILOWGATE.
I demand the we all go to city hall and demand that they create a big park for all of our teens. We need a place for them to gather and talk to each other. Enough with the divides. Lets talk to each other and I can guarantee you that this kids have a lot more in common that just gangs.
Funny thing is all the “surenos” from when this happened are all deported. So quite frankly enough with the im afraid their going to do something to us routine. I’m sure the F.B.I. has already assessed this threat and has it under raps.
And stop insinuating and assuming that violence is going to spill again because the perpetrators are behind bars now.
If anybody really wants to know the truth go to court and witness first hand at trial what evidence they have against the defendants. After all evidence has been piled in, then make your judgement on all those involved.
Wow, so much hatred on here. I don’t know how I would feel if I did not know “Arthur” personally. From the outside all you know is what the media tells you. Yes we all have a past, and it is not always pretty. We got in trouble as youths, and sometimes in our early adult lives. Sometimes that trouble will come back to haunt you. I also grew up in “the neighborhood”, along with some of the others on here. We have seen that Art has grown into a responsible hard working man, raised a family, and now is faced with punishment for defending his son. I don’t know who is guilty, but like others have said above, in this country we are innocent until proven guilty, at least in the judicial system. In the court of popular opinion it is quite different. I am so sorry for the loss of the 17 year old that was murdered. I also am sad for the loss that the other mothers are facing right now as their family members will stand trial. The media has talked about Arthur’s criminal background, but nobody is mentioning how long ago these crimes occurred. We all want for past criminals to be rehabilitated and become responsible citizens, but even when they do, it only takes one slip up for them to be judged as horrible criminals, no matter how many years have gone by since their last crime. I will pray for everyone affected….
I keep reading posts that say things like “based on hearsay” or “not an FBI case”, “no evidence”, “they need the weapon”, “proof beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Do you really think these people were arrested without evidence? Do you really think MVPD takes this lightly, or that FBI was brought in for no reason at all? Do you work for the police department? You should know that they will not release anything to the media that could jeopardize the case. I am sure that there is so much information about this that is not being released. The article mentioned that it was an “FBI Organized task force working out of the MV Police Department, they did a ton of surveillance, and they mentioned that the Grand Jury investigation, more commonly used by the FBI is what got people to talk, where they were unable to force them to talk before.
I get sick reading all those people who are already judging the fams.Haven’t you people ever heard of don’t throw stones if you never done ANYTHING wrong in your life!!As for Moehsha resident of M.V.You are dreaming if you think the F.B.I has it under wraps!If they did why didn’t they solve it 7yrs ago.Talk of convicting people before they even go to court.The Voice already has them convicted!Maybe it will turn out like the Casey Anthony case,and bite all you people out there to realize don’t convict until proven guilty.My prayers are for the families all of them.And yes,it is sad that a son was lost.But not only a son but a father might also be lost because of poor judgement of the Voice to put it out there the way they did.
just a note to those who are criticizing the Voice for publishing the street name, it was also posted in the major newspapers. Not just the Voice. It was released by the MVPD to the media.
Many years ago I did an internship at a paper. I recall that names of arrested parties, the crime and at least the location of arrest must be released to the press. Maybe the Voice can confirm if this is still the case.
Honest question to those criticizing the release of the street name: If Figueroa has lived in the community for 40+ years (as stated in another post) and if he’s been in a local gang, wouldn’t people already know where he lives?
If this Gio dude pulled the trigger he should be a real man and confess to the crime. Enough with the trial enough with the showbowting. Have the cajones to be the real man you claim to be and tell the parents you pulled the trigger and accept your punishment. Now if u didnt do this crime go hire the dream team that saved The Juice of first degree murder to defend you
@Manny:
You’re right, the police are obligated to release the name, city and age of anyone who is arrested, the charges against that person and the location of the arrest.
It may seem unkind to release that information, especially if the person is later found not guilty of the charges, but think of the alternative — living in a country where the police can simply make someone “disappear,” arrest and jail people without bringing charges and without even acknowledging that there’s been an arrest.
@native
Sounds like you’re hoping that the perpetrators – whether they be these suspects or others – go unpunished.
I read everyone’s comments and I must say, a murder was committed! There is NO statue of limitations on murder so it is our Police Departments responsibility to continue to look for the perpetrators no matter how long it takes! If these young men did it and there is evidence to prove it then they will hopefully be convicted! It has taken 7 years to charge these boy,not because they didn’t know who did it, but because all these young kids that actually witnessed the crime or later heard about it in school think that they are COOL by not coming forward and labeling themselves a snitch! I only hope that they never cross this bridge in their life! Let’s just let the law handle this and see how it plays out! If they are innocent they will be exonerated, if guilty, they will be punished! This really is a no win situation for everyone involved. Raise your kids to have good old fashion values and we will all be better off! Teach by example!
I personally know Giovanni and I believe that they didn’t commit this crime. I have also seen the victim who would always get into fights in high school and didn’t respect anyone on the street. When I first found out about the shooting clearly reports state he walked up to the car while his friends stayed back, who made a smarter decision than the victim. Unsolved for 7 years and the victims friends could not Identify in detail suspects or the vehicle used shows that they can choose any person to point a finger at. Unfortunately, Giovanni and the other suspect who were arrested on SUSPICION for murder are not liked by the other group and in a small community they clearly stated names of who they think shot the victim. I personally believe that a group from out of town would do a shooting where they are not recognized by the people in the city.
As for the man’s family I have seen them at family events enjoying life and to say that he is a bad man for trying to protect his son does not make him a monster. He is a hard working man trying to raise a family. His son can say that he didn’t commit a crime to have his father protect him.
These men were raised in Mountain View in a affluent city so clearly the city is not providing resources to focus on the children to prevent gang activity. If people do not want gang activity, the city council should focus on the school system and have police enforce curfew when the group of friends walked down the street after 10 PM. I don’t see how the city does not use resources to help children when they get money from a big company like Google.
@view – parents are responsible for raising their children, not the city.
@view
“I personally know Giovanni and I believe that they didn’t commit this crime.”
I wish I had a dime for every suspect that : “he was a nice kid”, “he would never do anything like that”, “he just fell in with the wrong crowd”.
@ concerned mom how can you say if there inocent they will be exoneratd? That’s true but they ant get back the time behind bars away from there families aay from there jobs to support there families. And whoever put I heard alex and giovanni had beef in school if it’s a rumor keep your mouth closed because you obviously don’t kno why are you trying to start stuff.
and to all who think this arrest will stop gang violence then you are mistakken. Gangs will always be around and they will never be gone. And whoever said surenos were deported and those ones are no longer around you are very wrong to. Many have returned. This making it public like this and pointing finges will cause way more problems then good.
I’m sure the F.B.I. is monitoring this thread. Way too much info was spilled on here. At least we know there’s still a bunch of thugs we gotta get rid of.
Kudos to MVPD et al. for picking this one back up.
In response to the somewhat off-topic comments of other posters earlier in the thread, hearsay (repeating what someone else said as evidence that what they said was true) is a type of evidence, it’s just generally not as reliable as other forms of evidence. Suspects can be arrested and charged based on hearsay. Sometimes they can even be convicted, depending on whether the type of hearsay is considered reliable enough to be admissible in court. But that’s all academic, because nothing in this article describes the testimony witnesses gave the grand jury.
Finally, is anyone else surprised by that a gang enhancement and prior strike conviction can lead to 13 additional years in prison for the very same crime?
Any validated gang member knows that once their classified as gang members their punishment is more severe. Obviously its a very useful tool to deter them from commiting anymore crimes. But as always there are some knuckle heads that dont care about the punishment since doing time in prison is seen as a status symbol of power to their peers.
Ive seen grown men cry in prison regretting what they did, yet once they get out its back to the same lifestyle once again. I want to say the prison system is failed but there are cases when people learn their lessons. Or maybe our system of reintegration back into society that is flawed.
I read an article in the Mercury news saying that the police served a warrant at the Figueroa home and they found a rifle and a handgun. So im assuming the father is being charged with some sort of felony for having weapons at his house (he’s already a felon) so once you add the perjury charge it adds up to the 17 years he’s facing.
I’m sure their gonna give him a plea and ill put my money on it that he’ll take the deal.
Well, if that’s the case, and he testifies against his son and the other kid, we’ll see just how strong all those esse-type family and neighborhood loyalties are! Won’t that be fun to watch…
It’s not the solving of cold case that has me impressed…although it is a very nicely done job by the joint agencies. What impressed me, and not in a good way, was the fact of the major gangs in our town. This is a city of apx. 75,000 residents (documented) and to have that percentage of gang members is… what the hell? This is Googleville… not a barrio in San Jose…I sincerely hope that our local constablery is on top of this situation 24/7…
@heinzb: You call Mountain View “Googlevile” as if none of us lived here prior to Google coming in to town. MV has a long history before Silicon Valley began. Do you think that when Google moved in, all of the gangs moved out? Google occupies the neighborhood at the end of Shoreline away from the rest of the city. The majority of the city is on the opposite side of the freeway, unphased by Google. Yes, MV has always had gangs, and the fact that so many people are shocked by this fact just tells me that the MVPD have done a pretty good job keeping our crime rates low. There are other cities in the Bay Area with MUCH higher crime rates and I have been proud to call Mountain View home for more than 44 years!
Why isn’t a photo of the victim published? It ought to be right at the top, larger than the others:
I found one here: http://mountainview.patch.com/articles/premio-de-10000-por-ayudar-con-crimen#photo-5074062
To me, it seems that the victim’s picture should get more attention than the photos of the three thugs who were involved in this cowardly act. (Even though he was a gang member too, this does not mean that he deserved to be murdered)