SOUTH BRONX — Nearly 40 members of a violent Bloods street gang who were terrorizing the Morris Houses were rounded up by investigators Thursday on attempted murder, assault, robbery and conspiracy charges after they bragged about their crimes on social media, according to a sweeping Bronx indictment.
Members of the Washside gang eager to "earn their stripes" within the group posted pictures of themselves with weapons on Facebook and talked about where to get guns and how much they cost, according to the Bronx DA's office.
On Jan. 21, 2013, one of the members wrote that "Lefty want to mob Sev O tomorrow," referring to a feud with the rival Sev-O gang, so he could earn his stripes and move up within the gang, court documents show.
Members also posted pictures of themselves with weapons on Facebook and talked about where to get guns and how much they cost, according to the Bronx DA's office.
The indictment unsealed Thursday afternoon contains 54 counts against 37 members on charges that took place over a roughly five-year period ending in late November, according to the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
Some of the accused gang members have previously been indicted for crimes in The Bronx, including Shaun Crandle, who was charged with attempted murder for trying to shoot police officer Mauricio Thomas on June 25, 2014, and Talik Sims, who was charged with attempted murder after a Sept. 16, 2014 incident where he allegedly fired several shots toward a group of 10 people.
The defendants were arraigned on Wednesday and Thursday in Bronx Supreme Court, and those who were present pleaded not guilty. They are due back in court on Feb. 29, according to the Bronx DA's office.
“The violence allegedly committed by these individuals is heinous, victimizing the community in and around the Morris Houses for far too long," Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said. "This investigation and subsequent arrests sends a strong message — the NYPD will be methodical and relentless with anyone who willfully engages in categorical violence.”
