The City of La Puente is all colored in yellow (unincorp areas not included). The community of Valinda is outlined in green, seen on the northeast section of the map. Bassett is on the far north west side, and "La Hacienda Puente"(Happy Homes) is on the bottom side where you read Industry on the map.
La Puente was one of those many so-called hicks towns that where out there in the boonies; and the boonies seemed so far away from L.A. (20 miles) back in the 1930s and 40s., Back then the area was filled with muddy river beds, and rail road tracks criss-crossed the flat hills topography of the Puente Valley. Packed-dirt sidewalks were the norm in many of its neighborhood streets. It was a stereotypical Mexican place where you could fence in your property and raise chickens or goats, and hunt coons or roadrunners just a short distance from the roads and homes; the place was like country living.
After WWII, La Puente became a boom town. The place was prime marketing land for the realty companies which came in and divided up everything into "tracts" and laid it all out into "grids." .. So many families from L.A. and elsewhere moved to La Puente in the 1950's that for a time the place was called "kidsville," because there where just so many little folks on its streets; kids ruled; they owned the streets.
La Puente grew so much during the 1950's that it was incorporated as it's own City in the year 1956. La Puente for a time was the classical white urban city of the leave it to beaver kind of epoch. But just like it's twisted name of "LA" instead of "EL" Puente, it also had another story brewing under its topside look. White on the outside, Brown on the inside.
Thee History of the Bridgetown and of it's crazy "LA" instead of "EL" in its name goes back to to when the old Spanish explorers crossed over the hills from La Abra (La Habra), and upon coming down on the other side, they crossed over a bridge that they built over the San Jose (river) creek, back like in 1769; and according to folk legend the Spaniard explorer Portola named the region "Llana de La Puente" - meaning Plain of the Bridge., the "LA" instead of the "EL" is said to be because of the Portuguese that were with the Spanish, who use LA instead of EL., this same place later became a "Rancho," and when the Whites arrived, they took over the name; later their fields and farms attracted large crowds of gente; raza who came in droves during the 1920s and 30s, and by the 1950s, the time when the homes and freeway construction were taking place, simon, Chicanos made La Puente their home. And so first the Chucos who got it together as Old Town Puente Gents, and then later they went on to become Puente 13 Tinflanes.
TINFLANES, now there's a name for the books., so full of meaning!
P13 was founded in the early 1950’s in La Puente. At the time of its conception, it was known as the “Bridgetown Gentlemen,” or “Old Town Puente.” Later the gang became known simply as Puente 13.
Over the decades since, it has dramatically expanded its membership and territory into neighboring cities and communities, to include unincorporated county areas, and portions of Walnut, Industry, Hacienda Heights, and West Covina.
There are currently 14 subsets, or cliques of the Puente 13 gang.
New cliques were formed by members living in a particular geographical area, and were named accordingly (i.e. Happy Homes was founded by Puente 13 members residing in Hacienda Heights), and cliques such as Blackwood Street, Northam Street, Rama Street, and Dial Blvd. were founded by Puente 13 members residing on those respective street zones of Greater La Puente.
Currently its gang membership (active or inactive) is roughly between 600 to 1000 in numbership.
VARRIO PUENTE 13
CLIQUES & SUB-CLIQUES
TINFLANES
LOS NITE CAPS
SUNSET LOCOS
BECKNER STREET
BALLISTA STREET
RAMA STREET
CADBROOK
DUFF STREET
PERTH STREET
BLACKWOOD STREET
DIAL BLVD.
HURLEY STREET
NORTHAM STREET
EAST SIDE PUENTE
HAPPY HOMES PUENTE
IN MAPPING THE ZONES FOR EACH OF THE PX3 CLIQUES, IT APPEARS THAT NOT ALL THEM FALL WITHIN LA PUENTE'S CITY LIMITS.
NORTHAM STREET, EAST SIDE PUENTE AND HURLEY STREET FALL UNDER THE UNINCORP SOUTH SAN JOSE HILLS., AND DUFF STREET ALTHOUGH RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF PUENTE 13 TERRITORY, NEVERTHELESS DUFF STREET SITS MOSTLY ON UNINCORP LAND AS WELL., AND BLACKWOOD IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CITY BOUNDS, SINCE ALL OF ITS ZONE IS IN THE NORTHERN UNINCORP SECTOR., BALLISTA LIES ALL MOSTLY WITHIN CITY LIMITS, BUT IT MAYBE HAS A SMALL CHUNK OF IT WHICH FALLS TOWARDS THE GREATER UNINCORP COMMUNITY OF VALINDA.,
VALINDA FLATS, THE ROYAL MAJESTICS, ALWOOD STREET LOADIES AND THE DEFUNCT SGV CYCLONES ALL HAVE THEIR ZONES WITHIN UNINCORP VALINDA.,
THE OFFICIAL BOUNDARIES OF LA PUENTE ONLY HAS 2 VARRIOS THAT HAVE TURF INSIDE OF LA PUENTE, BUT DON'T CLAIM P13.,
THE FIRST ONE IS BASSETT GRANDE.,
BGR ZONE EXTENDS A LITTLE BIT INTO PUENTE CITY LAND, ALL THE WAY TO MAYBE ARDILLA AVENUE.,
THE OTHER VARRIO IS LIL HILL RIFA ON THE MOST SOUTHEASTERN TIP OF LA PUENTE, WHERE VALLEY BLVD MEETS AZUSA AVENUE.,
BOTH, BASSETT GRANDE AND LIL HILL, PLUS VALINDA FLATS ARE SWORN ENEMIES OF PUENTE 13 (ALL CLIQUES).,
THE VARRIOS TOWNSMEN, AND EAST SIDE DUKES, ARE BOTH IN THE UNINCORP AREA OF SOUTH SAN JOSE HILLS, OVERLAPPING IN SOME STREETS WITH NORTHAM, HURLEY AND EAST SIDE PUENTE.,
THE LAST VARRIO THAT THROWS UP PUENTE IN THEIR NAME IS HAPPY HOMES PUENTE, BUT THIS VARRIO LIES SOUTH OF LA PUENTE, IN AN OLD AREA NAMED "HACIENDA LA PUENTE" SOUTH OF THE CITY OF INDUSTRY; RIGHT THERE AS YOU'RE HEADING INTO HACIENDA HEIGHTS PROPER.,
BUT VARRIO HAPPY HOMES IS A TRIPPY THING BECAUSE IT GETS CONFUSING ON HOW IT ALL WORKS INTERNALLY WITHIN HAPPY HOMES.,
YOU HAVE HAPPY HOMES GRANDE, HAPPY HOMES PUENTE, LITTLE HAPPY HOMES, AND HAPPY HOMES TINY LOCOS.,
HAPPY HOMES GRANDE DOES NOT CLAIM PUENTE, BUT LITTLE HAPPY HOMES DOES, SO I DON'T HAVE A GRASP ON HOW THAT WORKS WITH VHxHR.,
THE LAST AREA THAT HAS REALTY IN UNINCORP LA PUENTE IS THE AREA KNOWN AS GREENBERRY LIL WATTS, NORTH OF FAIRGROVE AVENUE, CENTERED ON GREENBERRY. THIS AREA IS CONSIDERED THE "BLACK SIDE" OF TOWN, BUT THE BLACKWOOD PX3 CLIQUE SEEMS TO ROAM THE AREA AS WELL.,
THE DEFUNCT OLD "GREENBERRY BOYS & MIDGETS" (1970s) CLAIMED (PUENTE's) LIL WATTS NEIGHBORHOOD AS THEIR BARRIO.
PUENTE 13 CLIQUE ZONES
PX13 TS "TINFLANES"
THEY CLAIM DARK SIDE
AND THEY HAVE THE ABBEY STREET LOCOS
THAT WOULD PUT THEM IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF CENTRAL LA PUENTE
IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA OF DIAL BLVD. CLIQUE
DBLS P13
DIAL BLVD LOCOS
CLAIM DARK SIDE
ZONE
NW: STIMSON AVE.
SW: VALLEY BLVD.
N/NE: MAIN ST.
SE: DALESFORD DR.
BWST BLACKWOOD STREET
ZONE
NW: SUNSET AVE.
SE: UNRUH AVE.
SW: AMAR RD.
NE: FAIRGROVE AVE.
BSTxP13 BALLISTA STREET
ZONE
E: AILERON AVE.
W: HACIENDA BLVD.
N: MAPLEGROVE ST.
S: AMAR ROAD / PUENTE CREEK (CHANNEL)
PSTxP13
PERTH STREET
ZONE
NW: UNRUH AVE. / PUENTE CREEK (CHANNEL)
NE: GIORDANE ST.
SE: HACIENDA RD.
SW: NELSON AVE.
CST / CBP13
CADBROOK
ZONE
WEST OF PERTH ST NEIGHBORHOOD
SW: NELSON AVE.
NW: PUENTE CREEK (CHANNEL)
SE: UNRUH AVE.
RSTxP13
RAMA STREET
ZONE
NW: WILLOW AVE.
SW: TEMPLE AVE.
NE: AMAR RD.
SE: ORANGE AVE.
DUFF STREET P13
ZONE
NE: AMAR RD.
SW: PRICHAR ST.
NW: CALIFORNIA AVE.
SE: UNRUH ST.
HSTxP13
HURLEY STREET P13
ZONE
SOUTH OF THE EAST SIDE DUKES BY SUNSHINE PARK
SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD
S: VALLEY BLVD.
W: TRAFALGAR AVE.
E: LA SEDA RD.
NSTxP13
NORTHAM STREET
ZONE
ALSO ON THE EAST END OF UNINCORP LA PUENTE
BY EAST SIDE DUKES, IN THE NOGALES NEIGHBORHOOD
N: NORTHAM ST.
S. VALLEY BLVD.
W. FAXINA AVE.
E: NOGALES ST.
BOTH HURLEY AND NORTHAM ARE ALL SOMEWHAT MIXED IN THERE
WITH TOWNSMEN AND EAST SIDE DUKES IN THE SOUTH SAN JOSE HILLS
BECKNER STREET ~ LOS HOMEBOYS
(DEFUNCT)
THE STRIP BETWEEN WILLO AVE. AND SUNSET AVE.
RUNNING PARALLEL ALONG TEMPLE & BECKNER.
BETWEEN RAMA STREET & DUFF STREET ZONES
GREENBERRY LIL WATTS
CENTERED ON GREENBERRY
N: FRANCISQUITO AVE.
S: FAIRGROVE AVE.
W: SUNSET AVE.
E: UNRUH AVE.
June 8, 2010
FEDERAL RACKETEERING INDICTMENT LEADS TO ARREST OF 8 MEMBERS, ASSOCIATES OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY STREET GANG
LOS ANGELES – A joint federal-state law enforcement operation this morning led to the arrest of eight people linked to a San Gabriel Valley street gang who are charged in a federal racketeering and narcotics indictment that alleges the gang has engaged in violent crimes and methamphetamine trafficking that helped fund the Mexican Mafia.
Today’s arrests are the result of a 22-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on June 2. The indictment names 17 defendants, 16 of whom are charged under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. In addition to the RICO charges, the indictment alleges violent crimes in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, firearms violations and other offenses.
The federal indictment that led to this morning’s takedown focuses on Puente-13, a street gang that was formed in the City of La Puente approximately 60 years ago. Puente-13 claims as its turf a large portion of La Puente, as well as unincorporated parts of the San Gabriel Valley and portions of nearby cities such as Hacienda Heights, Walnut and West Covina. The gang is comprised of approximately 600 members and includes at least 14 subsets or “cliques.” Puente-13 is aligned with the Mexican Mafia, as indicted by the “13" in the gang's name, which references the 13th letter in the alphabet – the letter M. The indictment states that the gang is currently controlled by Mexican Mafia member Rafael Munoz Gonzalez.
Members of Puente-13 are involved in the distribution of narcotics, particularly methamphetamine, according to the indictment, which also alleges that leaders of the gang extort drug dealers by collecting “taxes,” the payment of which allows drug dealers to operate in gang-controlled territory.
The RICO conspiracy count in the indictment alleges a series of specific overt acts, including the murder of a rival gang member who was punished for collecting taxes on behalf of Gonzalez without Gonzalez’s knowledge, several stabbings designed to deter victims from cooperating with law enforcement, and numerous instances in which gang members possessed firearms and narcotics for sale.
“Violent drug gangs continue to wreak havoc within our communities,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum. “Today’s arrests send the message that law enforcement will continue to work together to take back our neighborhoods and get violent drug traffickers and gangs off our streets.”
Four of the defendants in the federal racketeering case are eligible for the death penalty because of their involvement in the 2006 murder of the rival gang member who was collecting taxes without authorization. Those defendants are: Rafael Munoz Gonzalez, also known as Cisco, 40, of La Puente, the Mexican Mafia member who allegedly controls Puente-13; Cesar Munoz Gonzalez, also known as Blanco, 36, of Rowland Heights, Rafael Gonzalez’s brother and allegedly the Mexican Mafia member’s top lieutenant; Steven Nunez, also known as Flaco, 30, who currently a state prisoner; and Angel Frank Torres, also known as Smiley, 34, who is currently a state prisoner.
The remaining 13 defendants face either life without parole in federal prison or prison sentences of up to 20 years if they are convicted of the charges in the indictment.
Those taken into custody this morning will begin making their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
In addition to the eight arrested this morning, seven defendants were already in custody. Authorities are continuing to search for two defendants named in the RICO indictment – Adrian Rodriguez, also known as Trips, 25, of Huntington Park; and Henry Rick Zabala, 40, of La Puente.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
In addition to the agencies that conducted the investigation, several law enforcement agencies assisted in this morning's takedown, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
the United States Marshals Service;
the Pomona Police Department;
the Baldwin Park Police Department;
the La Verne Police Department;
the Montebello Police Department;
the El Monte Police Department;
the Huntington Beach Police Department;
the Gardena Police Department;
the South Gate Police Department;
and the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT).
April 19, 2011
The Injunction thrown on Puente Valley
A judge granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday that restricts the activities of gang members in 16 square miles of the San Gabriel Valley.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office sought the civil injunction against members of Puente 13 and Bassett Grande, which are behind violence, drug sales and protection rackets in the Valinda Corridor and the city of La Puente, officials said.
Puente 13, a multi-generational gang formed more 60 years ago, is made up of more than 1,000 members believed to engage in narcotics trafficking and "tax" collection from other drug dealers, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Fern. The gang includes at least 14 subsets or "cliques."
Puente 13 is aligned with the Mexican Mafia, represented by "13" in the gang name, referencing the 13th letter in the alphabet -- M.
Bassett Grande, with more than 300 known members, is Puente 13's primary rival.
A chunk of its hierarchy was indicted by federal prosecutors last year for racketeering in connection with methamphetamine trafficking.
The indictment stated that the gang is controlled by Mexican Mafia member Rafael Munoz Gonzalez.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant granted the civil injunction, which designates the approximately 16-square-mile area a "safety zone."
The injunction covers the communities of Avocado Heights, Bassett, South San Jose Hills and Valinda. According to Fern, it is largest geographic area for which the district attorney's office has obtained such an injunction.
The injunction orders Puente 13 and Bassett Grande gang members not to associate with one another in public or possess weapons, narcotics or graffiti tools within the injunction area.
They also are barred from two parks in La Puente -- Bassett Park in the 500 block of Vineland Avenue and La Puente Park in the 500 block of North Glendora Avenue.
It prohibits members of those gangs from wearing gang apparel, trespassing on property and loitering in public places. It also imposes a 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew for the gang members.
A violation of the injunction can result in a six-month jail term.
To win approval, the district attorney's office produced Sheriff's Department tracking data showing how much gang graffiti there was in the injunction area.