California police chief, feds in immigration probe spat

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California police chief and mayor on Thursday accused federal agents of duping local officers assisting in the takedown of suspected members of the notorious El Salvadoran-based gang into helping make immigration arrests.

Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel and assistant chief Dan Flippo said Thursday that Department of Homeland Security officials lied when they assured them a Feb. 13 joint operation in the region would not include immigration-related arrests during the gang raids.

Flippo said the gang-related arrests were the culmination of a five-year investigation launched when a Santa Cruz resident called police to complain about gang members extorting local businesses.

Flippo said at press conference Thursday that it appears an additional 10 or more people agents encountered at the dozen residences raided Feb. 13 were arrested on immigration charges.