Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Crime Impact Team deputies, assisted by patrol deputies, arrested 23 suspects during a 24-hour crime suppression operation that started at 10 p.m. Wednesday and ran through 10 p.m. Thursday.

The operation was part of the station’s ongoing crime suppression efforts in Santa Clarita ahead of the holidays, according to authorities.

The suspects, aged between 19-60, were apprehended for various crimes such as possession of a deadly weapon, possession of narcotics, sales of narcotics, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, forgery, trespassing, driving without a license, DUI, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, possession of a dirk or dagger, and violation of parole conditions.

“Deputies working the crime suppression were instructed that this was a zero tolerance operation,” said CIT Team Sergeant Pete Bringas. “If someone was caught breaking the law, they were told to bring them to jail.”

The patrol units assigned to the operation were no-call cars, allowing deputies to specifically concentrate on looking for illegal activity.

“We also hired extra jailers during the suppression to help with the booking process,” said Bringas. “The 23 arrested during the suppression were in addition to any arrests that are usually generated during a patrol shift.”

According to Bringas, one of the noteworthy arrests that occurred during the operation was that of a 30-year-old man, a fugitive from the Van Nuys area. Terry Baker was on parole for attempted murder and absconding parole officers, who had been unable to locate him. Deputies found him living in a Newhall wash. Baker told deputies he had been living there for two weeks.

“We wanted to send a message to crooks,” added Bringas. “We’re not tolerating illegal activity. We will take you to jail.”

The following individuals were arrested during the operation:

– Alex Lopez, 32, possession of a deadly weapon.

– Alfredo Alvarez, 22, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

– Elvis Monte, 49, transportation/possession of narcotics for sales (methamphetamine).

– Dawn Bande, 46, transportation/possession of narcotics for sales (methamphetamine).

– Ramiro Escobedo, 33, possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

– Iris Sifuentes, 29, DUI (alcohol), reckless driving.

– Michael Johnson, 27, possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

– Manuel Mora, 46, trespassing.

– Miguel Rodriguez, 24, unlicensed driver.

– Terry Baker, 30, parolee (attempted murder), violation of parole conditions

– Bryan Steiner, 19, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

– Sean Jacobsen, 35, possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

– Cruz Carillo, 29, possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

– Tony Martinez, 35, possession of a controlled substance (heroin).

– Chad Mataiz, 39, possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

– Michael Estrada, 27, possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

– Angela Zunino, 27, driving on a suspended license.

– Stephen Bock, 21, $50,000 warrant for DUI.

– Mario Dominguez, 60, possession of a deadly weapon.

– William Muinos, 29, possession of a controlled substance (heroin).

– Blake Hutchins, 28, possession of a dirk or dagger.

– Rachel Montes, 41, forgery.

– Megan Mejia, 29, possession of a controlled substance (heroin).

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will conduct future operations as part of ongoing crime suppression efforts within our community. The station encourages residents to partner with them to keep the SCV safe by reporting any criminal activity to our station at 661-255-1121 or 911 for emergencies.