Recent Gwinnett gang arrests key to crackdown

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The arrest of two men and four juveniles believed to be connected to a known Gwinnett County gang is a major accomplishment in their fight against gang activity, said police.

Wednesday, Gwinnett police announced the arrest of Daniel Cardenas, 18, and Dennis Pineda, 17, both of Lawrenceville, along with the four unnamed juveniles, for numerous criminal offenses in and around Gwinnett dating as far back as January.

Charges against the six include 19 burglaries, 35 car break-ins and stealing two vehicles, among other charges, said Cpl. David P. Schiralli, Gwinnett police spokesman. They are believed to be affiliated with the “South Side Jokers” gang.

“The suspects were linked to over 150 felony offenses including numerous residential and commercial burglaries, thefts from vehicles, stolen vehicles and multiple instances of vandalism arising from graffiti,” said Schiralli.

Marco Silva, of Gwinnett’s Gang Task Force, acknowledges gang activity in Gwinnett, but not more than other areas in Atlanta. He said it may have something to do with the number of young people in the county but their participation fluctuates.

“There are 160,000 kids registered in Gwinnett schools. Twenty-seven percent of Gwinnett’s population is kids. That’s a lot of kids,” he said. “Over a three month period, there could be 75 gangs in Gwinnett, the next quarter 100 and the following quarter 50.”

The task force was familiar with this gang, which helped in their investigation, said Silva, adding that knowing monikers, locations and other identifiers about gangs are helpful.

The offenses underlying these criminal charges occurred in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Norcross and Duluth. Initial investigation found that what was believe to just be gang related crimes, led to “a larger more encompassing analysis of associated criminal activity occurring in Gwinnett County,” said Schiralli.

At the time of his arrest, Pineda was already in jail for participation in a criminal street gang and other offenses connected to possession of a weapon on school property.