Investigators sweep Santa Cruz County for gang activity, 16 arrests made

Sixteen people were arrested during a joint agency gang operation last week in Santa Cruz County.

Sixty law enforcement officers from local, county, state and federal agencies participated in the bust. Investigators said the operation was done to address recent gang activity and violence.

More than twelve agencies worked with the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team to patrol known gang areas, conduct parole checks and probation compliance.

During those investigations, 14 adults were arrested and two juveniles were taken into custody. Investigators said 15 more people were given citations for various misdemeanor charges.

Below is a list of all the arrests made during the operation:

Kathryn Gibbons, 33: Santa Cruz, arrested for possession of a controlled substance and outstanding warrants.

Arnaldo Cabrera-Ayala, 23: Arrested for public intoxication.

Marcos Delatorre, 22:Arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and parole violation.

Amador Olivera, 43: Arrested for false identity provided to an officer, possession false registration documents, and outstanding warrants.

Patrick Diaz, 24: Arrested of parole violation.

Nicholas Garcia, 19: Arrested for robbery, terrorist threats, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, evading a police officer, and hit and run in relation to a Santa Cruz Police Department.

Benjamin Kirkley, 58: Arrested for public intoxication.

Kevin Smutzer, 28: Arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Joseph Bonnema, 27: Arrested for driving on a suspended license, possession of a controlled substance and outstanding warrants.

Anthony Horne, 42: Arrested for possession of controlled substances and an outstanding warrant.

Andrea Araujo, 22: Arrested for outstanding warrants.

Ismael Valdivia, 28: Arrested for prohibited subject in possession of a firearm and parole hold.

Enrique Ramos, 33: Arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a switchblade, and parole hold.

Clyde Ortega, 21: Arrested for a probation violation.

Two juveniles, 16 and 15, were booked into Juvenile Hall for arrested for a probation violation and arrested for hit and run and outstanding warrants.