(KTLA) – Authorities in San Bernardino County arrested two men, detained 33 others and seized more than 200 fighting roosters, U.S. currency and dozens of firearms, officials announced Monday.
According to a news release issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to an address in the 32000 block of Avenue E in Yucaipa on reports of an illegal “cock fighting” operation at the property.
An estimated 50 vehicles were on the property when deputies arrived, with many of the occupants attempting to flee the area, authorities said.
In one instance, a suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Riverside resident Jose Adame, accelerated toward a SBSD patrol unit, narrowly missing a deputy who then initiated a pursuit when the 33-year-old failed to pull over.
Adame eventually stopped his vehicle near 16th Street and Yucaipa Boulevard where he and three passengers were taken into custody.
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A rooster is seen in a pen in this file photo. (Getty Images) -
A cockfighting spur is shown. (Getty Images) -
A single rooster stands in a field at a property where hundreds of other roosters were rescued during a warrant search in the Antelope Valley(Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) -
An LASD image shows birds seized at an illegal cockfighting ring in Val Verde on May 15, 2017.
Inside the vehicle, which was later impounded, deputies recovered six live roosters in the rear cargo area, the release noted.
An additional 33 people identified as spectators of the illegal operation were detained at the property where authorities found 250 roosters, a fighting ring with a scoreboard and steel talons, typically placed on rooster’s claws during the illegal fights.
An SBSD aerial unit also located a suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Perris resident Carlos Romero, hiding in his truck with seven live roosters inside boxes. The 35-year-old, who was taken into custody was found to be in possession of a large sum of U.S. currency and a Ruger semi-automatic handgun hidden in his truck.
SBSD’s Rural Task Force responded to the area to execute a search warrant at the property.
“Additional steel talons were located and approximately 24 firearms were seized from a large safe,” officials said.
Personnel with animal control located an estimated 17 dead roosters, eight live roosters and tagged another 61 boxes of roosters, while inspectors with Yucaipa Code Enforcement red tagged several buildings, including a trailer on the property.
Both men were booked at the Central Detention Facility, with Adame facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, failure to yield and animal cruelty. Romero faces charges of animal cruelty.
Authorities did not say if the spectators detained during the incident were cited and released.
Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact SBSD’s Yucaipa Station at 909-918-2305. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the We Tip Hotline at 888-78-CRIME.
