Men arrested for allegedly forming murder squad, killing eight on behalf of gang

SALINAS, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 10/22/2020 11:30 am. U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson and Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese announced that a group of men have been arrested for allegedly forming a murder squad in Salinas.

It is believed that they killed eight people and injured more on behalf of a street gang. Seven of those people had no known gang affiliation.

The suspects are 24-year-old Siaki Tavale, 29-year-old Andrew Alvarado, 33-year-old John Magat, 23-year-old Anthony Valdez, 29-year-old Mark Anthony Garcia and 24-year-old Anelu Tavale.

“The indictment alleges a pattern of horrific violence,” Anderson said. “This violence destroys lives. This violence holds our community hostage. In announcing today’s charges, we reaffirm the importance of professional law enforcement. We need professional law enforcement to protect the community where we live and work and raise our families.”

Officials said the men are gang members, and the motive is to gain control of territory through violence. Frese said they attempted to gain control to distribute illegal drugs and conduct other profitable activities.

The members of the squad allegedly formed multi-car caravans, and each car had a distinct role, including shooters and spotters. When a victim was targeted, the shooters would allegedly shoot until their gun magazines ere empty. The more people a squad member killed, the higher their status would be.

Below is a map of where the murders occurred:

The murders happened between January 2017 and November 2018, and these are descriptions of the incidents:

• Jan. 12, 2017: Investigators say Siaki Tavale, Alvarado, Garcia and others went out to hunt for rival gang members to kill, and when they got to Sunrise Street, they saw a group of Hispanic men outside a house party. That is when they say the shooters opened fire, shooting four people and killing two. Investigators said there is no evidence that the victims were gang members. After the shooting, the suspects allegedly led police on a high-speed chase before crashing, abandoning the vehicle and running away.
• Feb. 11, 2017: Investigators say Siaki Tabale, Alvarado and others went hunting for gang members and came across a small group of Hispanic men outside the Hebbron Heights Community Center. They reportedly fired at least 18 shots, and one hit a victim in the head and killed him. Investigators say the suspects were driving a stolen vehicle that had already been doused in gasoline in case it needed to be set on fire.
• Feb. 12, 2017: Investigators say Siaki Tavale, Anelu Tavale, Alvarado and others went hunting for rival gang members while driving the same stolen vehicle as the day before. They saw men in another vehicle, who they believed were rival gang members, and followed the vehicle to a home on Orchard Avenue. The suspects allegedly opened fire when the vehicle pulled into the driveway, firing at least 20 shots at the two victims. They survived, but had gunshot wounds to the neck, torso and upper back.
• March 25, 2017: Alvarado, Magat, Garcia and others reportedly went hunting for rival gang members again in retaliation for the recent killing of a fellow gang member. As they were driving on Dennis Avenue, they saw two Hispanic men in the driveway of a home and fired at least 32 shots at them, killing both. Investigators say one of the men was killed in the driveway, but the other was chased to the backyard. There is no evidence that they were gang members.
• May 13, 2017: While Alvarado, Magat and others were hunting for rival gang members to kill, investigators said they saw a young Hispanic men on the front porch of a home on Paloma Avenue. They allegedly fired at least 15 shots at the victim, which hit him in the head and killed member. There is no evidence that he was a gang member.
• June 11, 2018: Investigators say Magat, Valdez, Anelu Tavale and others were hunting for rival gang members when they saw a man walking down Center Street. They allegedly fired at least 19 shots and killed him. There is no evidence that the victim was a member of a rival gang.
• Nov. 3, 2018: Investigators say Valdez, Anelu Tavale and others were hunting for rival gang members to commemorate the birthday of a gang member who had died. They allegedly saw a man walking on North Hebbron Avenue and fired at least 35 shots at him and killing him. There is no evidence that he was a gang member.

“The family and friends of the men murdered by this heinous criminal enterprise have suffered profound loss. The inability for these men to live out their lives is extremely disturbing to a law abiding community, all of whom have a fundamental right to be safe in their homes,” said Special Agent in Charge King. “Working together in a collaborative effort with the U.S. Attorney, Northern District, the Salinas Police Department, the FBI, and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office ensured that these criminals are afforded the most expeditious justice and will help protect the community from their wrath of terror.”

These are the charges the suspects are facing:

• Siaki Tavale- Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering, use of a gun causing murder and use of a gun in furtherance of or in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of death or life in prison.
• Andrew Alvarado- Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering, use of a gun causing murder and use of a gun in furtherance of or in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of death or life in prison.
• John Magat- Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering and use of a gun causing murder. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of death or life in prison.
• Anthony Valdez- Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, use of a gun causing murder and use of a gun in furtherance of and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of death or life in prison.
• Mark Anthony Garcia- Racketeering Conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison.
• Anelu Tavale- Racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering and use of a gun in furtherance of and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Several gang members were also indicted for allegedly forming a murder squad in December 2018. They included Valdez and Kristopher Ourcell, who was 20 years old at the time.

PREVIOUS STORY: U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson will be holding a press conference to announce a "significant law enforcement action" in Salinas along with federal and local law enforcement.

The announcement will be made at the new Police Service of Salinas building on East Alisal Street at 11 a.m. Thursday.

In addition to Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tatum King, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni and Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese will also be present.