Houston Police Department

December 21, 2005 -- In a massive operation targeting members of a violent southwest Houston gang, Houston police homicide investigators have arrested seven suspects in connection with 10 murders and various other violent crimes dating back to November of 2004.

As many as 50 Houston police officers from various divisions, including members of the SWAT Team, brought the suspects into custody in simultaneous raids at multiple locations on Friday, December 16. Investigators seized nine weapons, holsters, bulletproof vests and tactical gear during the arrests. In addition to members of the Homicide and Gang Divisions, officers from patrol tactical units assisted in the suspects’ apprehensions. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also provided agents to assist in the arrests.

The suspects are connected to nine murder scenes resulting in the deaths of 10 people. The chronology of homicide cases linked to these suspects is:

1. November 14, 2004 at 7700 Corporate Drive.
2. November 23, 2004 at 7700 Corporate Drive.
3. January 11, 2005 at 9475 West Sam Houston Parkway.
4. August 26, 2005 at 7255 Bissonnet.
5. September 12, 2005 at 6401 Loma Vista.
6. November 25, 2005 at 7250 Carew. Double murder.
7. December 3, 2005 at 9500 West Sam Houston Parkway.
8. December 6, 2005 at 7700 Corporate Drive.
9. December 15, 2005 at 1300 Bunker Hill.

Identities and charge information on the suspects in custody are:

Three suspects, Israel Diaz (H/m, DOB 4-9-86), Efrain Lopez (H/m. DOB 9-18-87) and Juan Balderas (H/m, DOB 9-7-86) are each charged in the 179th State District Court with capital murder in the December 15 incident on Bunker Hill.

Suspect #4, a juvenile, has been referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of capital murder in the incident at 6401 Loma Vista on September 12.

Suspect #5, Jose C. Hernandez (H/m, DOB 9-24-87), is charged with murder in the 248th State District Court in the incident at 9500 West Sam Houston Parkway on December 3.

Suspect #6, Jose H. Vazquez ( H/m, DOB 10-31-87), is charged with aggravated assault in the 230th State District Court in the incident at 7700 Corporate Drive on December 6.

Suspect #7, Silder Armando Regalado (H/m, DOB 9-17-80), is charged in the 174th State District Court with possession of a prohibited weapon. While serving a warrant at suspect Balderas’ residence, Regalado was taken into custody for possessing a weapon.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in providing information on the whereabouts of four other suspects already charged.

Pedro Acuna (H/m, DOB 10-21-87),
Victor J. Arevalo (H/m, DOB 12-21-85),
William Arevalo (H/m, DOB 9-26-87) and
Jose R. Luviano (H/m, DOB 2-5-87).

Acuna is wanted in an aggravated assault at 10300 Wilcrest on November 12, 2004. The Arevalo suspects, who are brothers, are wanted for murder in the incident at 9475 West Sam Houston Parkway on January 11, 2005. Luviano is wanted on an aggravated robbery charge for his role in the homicide at 6401 Loma Vista on September 12. Photos of the four wanted suspects are attached to this news release.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the four wanted suspects is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.