Two brothers — one on probation — were arrested along with four juvenile suspects in connection with a pair of gang-related, non- injury shootings in Pasadena, police reported Friday.
One of the shootings occurred about 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Villa Parke Community Center in the 300 block of East Villa Street, according to the Pasadena Police Department.
A known gang member was the target of shots fired from a silver Toyota Corolla, police said.
The second shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in the 100 block of Grandview Street.
“There was also information provided to police that the intended victims of this shooting returned gunfire,” according to a police statement. “Based on the information, it was apparent to police detectives that the suspects in the silver Toyota Corolla were possibly the same who were involved in (the) Villa Parke shooting two days earlier.”
Detectives located the vehicle, served search warrants and identified and arrested six suspects: Joseph Vargas, 18; Edward Vargas, 19; two 15-year- old boys and two 17-year-old boys.
The juveniles’ names were withheld.
The 17-year-olds were suspected of involvement only in the second shooting, police said.
The shootings were allegedly gang-related and the suspects were booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and shooting from a vehicle. Additionally, one suspect was booked on suspicion of possessing a firearm, police said.
The Vargas brothers were arrested on Thursday, according to sheriff’s inmate records, but it’s unclear if the juveniles were arrested the same day.
Edward Vargas was being held in lieu of $165,000 bail and Joseph Vargas in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s department.
“The case is being presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing,” police said.
Records show Edward Vargas was placed on probation on Sept. 8, stemming from an Aug. 12 arrest in Pasadena police for an unspecified felony offense.
—City News Service