GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — More than a dozen juveniles have been arrested in a Southeast Texas crime sweep for suspected gang members who allegedly organized via online.
Galveston police Chief Henry Porretto announced the arrests Tuesday in a crackdown after an increase in armed robberies during June and July.
Porretto says the 15 juvenile suspects, some as young as 11 years old, all knew each other and were recruited through social media.
The task force investigation led to the arrest of more than 30 other suspects. Galveston police say those additional arrests involve suspects not related to gang operations but whose alleged crimes were uncovered as part of the investigation.
The charges include engaging in organized criminal activity, aggravated robbery, burglary of a motor vehicle, drug counts and probation violations.
