Sweep Leads To Nearly 30 Minnesota Gang Arrests

ST. PAUL (AP) — Police say a sweep has led to the arrest of nearly 30 alleged gang members described as among the most violent in St. Paul.

More than 100 officers on Wednesday arrested 16 members of the East Side Boys gang. The arrests were made mainly in St. Paul but also in Minneapolis, Maplewood and Farmington.

St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith says another 12 arrests were made in the previous four months of "Operation Screeching Halt." The operation involved the FBI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minneapolis police and the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

So far the arrests have resulted in charges against 15 people, including charges for drug dealing, weapons violations and aggravated robbery.

Police are still looking for other suspects.