Chasing Leads, Making Arrests Gang Detectives Busy in Yakima

Officers working in the Yakima Police Department Gang Unit have been busy with a rash of shootings over the last two months as rival gangs battle on the streets of the city.

Two suspects wanted for a drive-by shooting were arrested on Saturday

Detectives on Saturday night arrested two suspects wanted in connection with a drive-by shooting reported on Wednesday, October 13 near 3rd Avenue and West A Street. The 29-year-old victim was injured in the shooting and remains at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. On Saturday officers found and arrested  Isaiah Mendez Sanchez and Ruben Valentine Cornejo Jr. The two were taken into custody in the 1000 block of West Nob Hill Blvd and both are being held in the Yakima County jail. Yakima Police say Sanchez was arrested on 1st degree Assault and Drive-By Shooting charges.Cornejo Jr. was arrested on charges of 1st Degree Assault, Drive-By Shooting, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

Police still want a third suspect in connection with the shooting

Authorities are still searching for a third suspect, identified as 20-year-old Armando Mendez Sanchez. Capt. Jay Seely says the arrests show officers are working a variety of different cases and always searching for suspects. Officers from the gang unit were patrolling the city on Saturday night where they spotted and arrested the two gang members.

You can call Crime Stoppers anonymously

If anyone has information about the shooting on October 13th, please call the Yakima Police Department at (509) 575-6200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).