Prosecutor Says Decoto Gang Glorifies Killing Cops

By Bay City News Service

Oakland, Calif. — A prosecutor told jurors today that a Union City man accused of shooting and nearly killing a Fremont police officer in Oakland last year belonged to a gang that glorifies the murder of police officers.

Prosecutor John Brouhard said was a member of the Decoto Nortenos gang, and that the gang has a culture that is "contrary to what normal law-abiding people believe."

Barrientos, 21, is accused of the attempted murder of a police officer and multiple other felony counts for an incident on Aug. 27, 2010, in which he allegedly shot Fremont police Officer Todd Young when Young and fellow officer Eric Tang attempted to arrest him at 2009 Auseon Ave., near Bancroft Avenue, in East Oakland.

The two officers, who were undercover and weren't wearing uniforms, were working in Oakland as part of the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force and had a warrant for Barrientos' arrest for an incident in April as well as for allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend with a gun in San Leandro on Aug. 13.

Oakland police said that after Young was shot, Barrientos tried to carjack one vehicle before successfully stealing a second car.

Barrientos fled to Southern California but was arrested near the Mexican border the day after the shooting.

Young spent more than seven weeks at Highland Hospital in Oakland, where he underwent numerous surgeries to address serious bladder problems and had to receive blood transfusions.

He eventually returned to work, testified against Barrientos in his trial and is attending closing arguments today.

Brouhard told jurors that Decoto Nortenos members were impressed when wanted parolee Lovelle Mixon killed four Oakland police officers on March 21, 2009. Mixon was killed by police later that day after he refused to surrender.

Brouhard said one gang member sent a text saying that while Mixon "got four" officers, "I'm gonna get me six" if police tried to arrest him.

The prosecutor said that before Barrientos allegedly shot Young, he sent text messages disparaging police officers and stating that he would be "ready" for them if they tried to arrest him.

Barrientos' lawyer, Barbara Thomas, is giving her closing argument this afternoon.