Gang member arrested on gun charges in Valinda

VALINDA — Deputies jailed an admitted gang member on suspicion of gun charges after he ran from them late Tuesday, authorities said.
Jose Gallaga, 18, of Valinda was booked on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Steve Katz said in a written statement.
Deputies tried to detain three suspicious men about 11:20 p.m. who were drinking in the 1100 block of Aileron Avenue, the lieutenant said.
Two of the men cooperated with deputies, he said, while the third ran to the rear yard of a nearby home.
A sheriff’s helicopter spotted Gallaga hiding in the back yard and watched as he made his way into the house, Katz said.
With the owner’s permission, officials said, deputies went in and arrested Gallaga without further incident. A handgun was found in the back yard.
Katz said that Gallaga admitted to being a local gang member, and told investigators he ran because he had the handgun on him when deputies approached.
According to sheriff’s booking records, Gallaga was being held in lieu of $70,000 at the sheriff’s Industry Station jail and was due for arraignment Monday in West Covina Superior Court.

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