By Mark Gomez
The Contra Costa Times
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A 16-year-old boy with a violent history and felony warrant threatened to use his Norteno gang associations to kill four San Jose police officers who arrested him Friday night at a North San Jose Costco store, according to police.
The teen suspect, whose name was withheld by police because he is a juvenile, entered the warehouse in the 1700 block of Automation Way intending to burglarize it, according to police. Once inside, store security guards watched the teen steal items and leave without paying. Security guards detained the teen, placed him in handcuffs and phoned police.
When officers arrived, the suspected gang member began throwing high kicks, elbows, knees and head butts at the officers and spitting in their eyes, according to police. Four officers suffered bruises, welts and soft tissue injuries.
Once subdued, the teen promised to use his gang ties to kill the arresting officers. The teen was booked into Juvenile Hall on a variety of felony charges including gang enhancements.
Lt. John Spicer, commander of the police department’s gang investigations unit, said such threats against San Jose police officers are uncommon. However, officers “are always very cautions and aware of the fact that gangsters lead a very violent life and because of that, they have to handle any situation with gang members in a very careful manner.”
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