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.
Oh, and it was 1959 when Decoto joined Alvarado to become Union City, January 26 to be exact. The incorporation action took place in Decoto.
BTW, I think you need to check your caps lock key, it appears to be stuck.
It seams that all the flat land in this large maze of inter woven suburbs, are now nothing more then one giant GANGLAND ghetto. The only answer is, is to bring back the draft! Not to send these kids off to some dumb ass BS political war as canon fader. But first send them to a good old fashion drill Sergeant and eight weeks worth of KICK THEIR ASS boot camp. Because what is totaling lacking with all these punks, is respect! Respect lacking for themselves their family's and their community. They need their loyalty's changed to go with the better good for the community, of which they no not! Then they spend two years in community service. The caps key, is stuck. That went right over her head.
Thank you for catching our mistake. The photo is from an old story on the graffiti buster, which, as you pointed out, contains wrong information. The caption has been corrected.
Roman is totally right! I would add the first line of defense against this gang crap behavior is the parents. Apparently we have tons of worthless parents raising worthless no good to society punks. Adding fuel to build more jails. We spend more money on jails then education. This is an upside down illogical way of thinking! In the mean time, bring back the draft!! Get these punks off the streets! Education is being cut everywhere along with everything else. I'm not one who agrees with these cuts to education. But it seams that nobody wants to pay for anything. We all will be paying in other ways while no longer living in a safe society. I guess we'd rather just build more jails?
I have three daughters growing up in Union City and they did not find any need for a community center to keep on the straight and narrow. We made sure to know where they were and what they were doing. Again, school and work kept them busy. A lot does depend on the parents, as they are ultimately responsible for the raising of their children. I know a few local parents that need to step up, have a backbone, and be real parents. I can't say this is an issue with all local parents, but good parenting does not hurt.
I'm not hiding anywhere, I'm just not screaming!. Anita it totally reflects on the parents and their lack of ability to parent. Parents who allow their kids to become gang members and do nothing about it, are worthless, and as worthless as their kids!! I will judge them because the parents of gang members are NOT DOING THEIR JOBS. You can't blame this on the schools. The next one to judge them will be a judge in a court before they go to prison! My kids functioning members of society. They were never members of any gangs. They are products of a public school education and doing very well.
Bring back the draft! This time, for men and woman! Because you and your homey definitely need more time for a Drill Sergeants eight week boot camp type education.
Another person with not even the education of a scribe! How could tell? I've always wanted to be gangster snitch turned born again Victory Outreach preacher? Have fun and enjoy your gang life in Decoto. You'll never going any further, other then jail!
I think we've pretty ignored President Dwight Eisenhower warning.............