Gang Task Force Rounds Up Fight Suspects

When the residents of quiet Shenandoah Street in Leesburg's Brandon townhouse community witnessed a swarm of heavily armed local and federal law enforcement officers pour into their neighborhood Sept. 3 they were unaware the operation was just one part of a coordinated effort to round up suspects from a gang fight a month earlier.

The Leesburg Police Department, assisted by members of The Northern Virginia Gang Task Force and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Gang Unit, that day executed nine search warrants and made six criminal arrests in a follow-up to an Aug. 12 incident near Leesburg Elementary School.

The Shenandoah Street raid was one of eight search warrants served in Leesburg. Another was executed in Sterling.

The Leesburg Police disclosed the results of the operation Wednesday morning.

Four adults and two juveniles were charged with trespassing on school property, illegal assembly and gang participation. Various weapons and assorted gang indicia were seized in the raids.

The charges follow as part of the Leesburg Police Department's probe into the Plaza Street school. Officers were called to the school at approximately 1:30 pm where a large fight was in progress. Subsequently, police were able to apprehend and identify several subjects suspected of participating in gang-related activity.

Investigators are encouraging residents with any information regarding this incident to contact the department at 703-771-4500. Callers can remain anonymous by dialing 703-443-TIPS.