Flash Bang Used in Early Morning Ramona Gang Arrests

Updated at 11:30 a.m. May 2, 2013

In an early morning operation Thursday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department's Gang Enforcement Detail arrested two Ramona residents suspected of gang-related activities.

The SWAT team served a search warrant at 728 F Street just after 6 a.m., setting off a flash bang used to distract the home's occupants, Sheriff's Lt. James Bovet said.

"It's a way of distracting them when we suspect they are armed," he said.

Tomas Martinez, 44 and Angelina Ruiz, 35, were both arrested on probable cause of possessing narcotics for sale, possessing stolen property, possessing dangerous weapons and possessing burglary tools.

Bovet said the two are also suspected to be part of the local gang known as the Ramona Town Locos, or RTLS.

A similar operation took place last week on April 23, where the Gang Enforcement Detail made three arrests at 933 E Street.

A 30-year-old man on probable cause of using a controlled substance and violation of a parole; a 21-year-old woman on probable cause of using a controlled substance; and a 24-year-old man on probable cause for:

-possession of a stolen vehicle

-possession of a controlled substance

-possessing a firearm

-possessing a hypodermic needle/syringe

Bovet has worked as a gang detective and as well as in the narcotics department in North County before working here in Ramona. He has initiated a program at the local sheriff's substation that focuses on three or four "action items" each month and responds to them based on urgency.

Original story

A "special investigation" was underway in Ramona early Thursday morning, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

Mutliple residents reported hearing "shots" or "bangs" shortly after 6 a.m. on Ramona Patch's Facebook page, but the department said no shots were fired.

Authorities said a search warrant was being served at the 700 block of F Street.

Patch will update with details as they become available.