3 Suspected Gang Members Held, 17 Firearms Recovered in LA

The intersection of 16th Street and Central Avenue south of downtown Los Angeles in February 2023. (Google Maps)

Gang enforcement officers arrested three suspects and seized 17 firearms from a warehouse south of downtown Los Angeles, police said in a press release.

The arrests occurred Feb. 17 in the afternoon when officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Newton Area detail were monitoring 50-70 suspected gang members who had gathered on the sidewalk in front of 1300 E. 16th Street and were drinking alcohol and smoking narcotics, according to the statement.

One person was taken into custody after being seen trying to discard a firearm. Another suspect entered a warehouse with a firearm and quickly left, authorities said.

Six of the 17 recovered firearms were “ghost guns,” according to the LAPD.

“[O]fficers recovered multiple firearms inside the warehouse as well as additional firearms in plain sight within parked vehicles, outside of the warehouse,” the press release read.

(Courtesy of Los Angeles Police Department)

Takierra Davis, 33, was arrested on suspicion of resisting an officer; Kentrice Panton, 35, was held on suspicion of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer; and Travion Anderson, 36, was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, City News Service reported.

The LAPD urged anyone with more information to call the Newton station at 323-846-5363 or 877-527-3247, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.