Montco Crime Ring Broken With 10 Arrests, Say Authorities
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Montgomery County authorities say they have crippled a criminal enterprise with the arrests of 10 people, including two juveniles, whom they say were part of a self-described sub-group of the "Bloods" gang based in New York.
Montgomery County prosecutors say Augustus Simmons arrived in Norristown from Brooklyn last summer intent on setting up a local street gang in communities throughout Montgomery County.
Their investigation began after a series of fire-bombings and street-level violence that attracted the attention of police.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman says the arrests come after a six-month grand jury investigation.
"These gang members across the country are urban terrorists," she told reporters today. "These are the kind of people who use terror to inspire fear in the community. The last thing that we are going to allow is for thugs to take over our community."
Ferman says Simmons took his marching orders from New York, then ordered lower-ranking gang members here to terrorize and intimidate others.
The local gang, known on the street as "G-Shine" or "Gangsta Blood Killers," was recognized by a five-pointed star and the colors red and black.
Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060
