Operation "Street Sweeper" Nets over 100 Arrests along Magnolia Avenue Corridor
Published: 05/02/2024
OPERATION “STREET SWEEPER” NETS OVER 100 ARRESTS ALONG MAGNOLIA CORRIDOR
RIVERSIDE, CA – Over the past several weeks and in response to increased criminal activity and complaints from community members and businesses, the Riverside Police Department’s Narcotics Unit conducted an undercover drug purchase operation along the Magnolia Avenue corridor, between Van Buren Boulevard and Pierce Street. 46 different purchases of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, PCP, and Psilocybin mushrooms were made over a three-week period in this area, mainly from individuals who identified as homeless and/or living in the various motels along Magnolia Avenue.
At the conclusion of this undercover program, the Narcotics Unit coordinated a three-day arrest operation to locate the 44 suspects who were caught selling illegal drugs. Of the 44 drug dealers identified, 33 were arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center last week for narcotics sales violations.
Additionally, and with assistance from our Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team, Public Safety Engagement Team (PSET), Training Bureau, Park and Neighborhood Specialists (PANS), Crime Analysis Unit, Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team (PACT), Riverside County Probation, and our METRO and SWAT Teams, 71 other suspects were also arrested and booked into jail for charges that included:
* 15 arrests for violation of parole, probation, and post-release community supervision
* 3 outstanding felony arrest warrants
* 21 outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrants for shoplifting, petty theft, trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of controlled substances, and being under the influence of a controlled susbstance
* 32 misdemeanor arrests were made for trespassing, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of controlled substances
* 3 probation searches were conducted at local motel rooms
* 2 search warrants were served at local residences
During one of the probation searches conducted at a motel room, a woman was found to be wanted on a 2022 felony drunk-driving case where she struck a vehicle containing two adult women and a 4-year-old boy, all who sustained serious injuries from the crash. Also inside her room was a man with an outstanding felony warrant for burglary, and officers discovered several thousand dollars’ worth of stolen merchandise in his possession during their search.
Of the 104 arrests made last week during Operation “Street Sweeper,” almost all the suspects claimed to be homeless and living on the streets and motels along Magnolia Avenue. Furthermore, medical aid and police calls for service along the Magnolia Avenue corridor immediately and significantly decreased as a result.
Eleven drug dealers are still outstanding and currently wanted on felony drug sales charges. Of the 33 drug dealers arrested, 4 are still in custody. 5 were released within 24 hours, 4 released within 48 hours, 8 released within 72 hours, 4 released within 96 hours, and 8 were released after 96 hours.
The Riverside Police Department will continue its directed enforcement and efforts to investigate those engaged in the trafficking and sale of illicit drugs within our neighborhoods, amongst other crimes affecting the safety of community members.
To submit tips about suspected illegal drug activity in your Riverside neighborhood, download the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app and utilize the “Send a Message” feature to send us the information. If you don’t have our app already, it can be downloaded at APPLE or ANDROID.
Video clips from the arrests can be viewed at https://youtu.be/iYSc7ztt_bA.
