Drizzt
April 4, 2003, 07:16 PM
GANG ALERT ON RIFLE THEFTS
By LARRY CELONA and TODD VENEZIA
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April 4, 2003 -- National Guard troops protecting New York's transportation hubs are on the lookout for Bloods and Crips street-gang members allegedly planning to steal troopers' M-16 assault rifles as part of a bizarre initiation rite.
Law-enforcement sources say Port Authority police first learned of the alleged plot from individuals familiar with the gangs' inner workings and yesterday issued a formal warning to the Guard, which has stationed some 200 rifle-toting soldiers at subway stations, bus terminals and river crossings since the start of the war in Iraq.
The lawmen told The Post the PA's sources said gang members planned to specifically target soldiers at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
It is not known what the gangs plan to do with the weapons, although officers believe gang members primarily want the rifles as trophies.
NYPD cops carrying heavy rifles on guard duty as part of the anti-terror "Operation Atlas" have also been placed on the lookout for gang members looking to make names for themselves.
Law-enforcement sources say there are some 6,000 suspected Bloods and 1,600 Crips gang members in New York.
The rival gangs were both founded in Los Angeles and have spread nationwide to become some of the most notorious criminal operations in the country.
In the past, the gangs have reportedly required recruits to suffer beatings at the hands of members in order to be initiated.
Members have also been known to commit robberies, slashings and murders, especially of rival gang members, to gain acceptance.
There have also been false reports of alleged gang initiation rites that have sparked undue fear around the country.
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/56181.htm
By LARRY CELONA and TODD VENEZIA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 4, 2003 -- National Guard troops protecting New York's transportation hubs are on the lookout for Bloods and Crips street-gang members allegedly planning to steal troopers' M-16 assault rifles as part of a bizarre initiation rite.
Law-enforcement sources say Port Authority police first learned of the alleged plot from individuals familiar with the gangs' inner workings and yesterday issued a formal warning to the Guard, which has stationed some 200 rifle-toting soldiers at subway stations, bus terminals and river crossings since the start of the war in Iraq.
The lawmen told The Post the PA's sources said gang members planned to specifically target soldiers at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
It is not known what the gangs plan to do with the weapons, although officers believe gang members primarily want the rifles as trophies.
NYPD cops carrying heavy rifles on guard duty as part of the anti-terror "Operation Atlas" have also been placed on the lookout for gang members looking to make names for themselves.
Law-enforcement sources say there are some 6,000 suspected Bloods and 1,600 Crips gang members in New York.
The rival gangs were both founded in Los Angeles and have spread nationwide to become some of the most notorious criminal operations in the country.
In the past, the gangs have reportedly required recruits to suffer beatings at the hands of members in order to be initiated.
Members have also been known to commit robberies, slashings and murders, especially of rival gang members, to gain acceptance.
There have also been false reports of alleged gang initiation rites that have sparked undue fear around the country.
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/56181.htm