On Thursday, December 30th, 2021, the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force conducted an investigation involving a documented criminal street gang member. The investigation began when Gang Task Force Officers conducted a vehicle stop at Estado Avenue and Cesar Chavez in Coachella. During the stop they contacted documented criminal street gang member and convicted felon, Giovanni Victor Rochin, 29 of Westminster. Rochin was on active county probation and a probation compliance search was conducted. During the search, Gang Task Force Officers located ammunition in Rochin’s possession and subsequently placed him under arrest for Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
Gang Task Force Officers relocated to the 84000 block of Avenue 52 in Coachella where they located a parked truck belonging to Rochin. During a probation compliance search of Rochin’s truck, Gang Task Force Officers located an unregistered rifle concealed behind the seat in the truck. Gang Task Force Officers later relocated to Rochin’s primary residence located in the 15000 block of Brookhurst Street in Westminster (Orange County) where they served a search warrant. During the service of the search warrant Gang Task Force Officers located more than 1000 fentanyl pills as well as cocaine and ammunition. Evidence of narcotics sales were also located at the residence. Rochin was charged with Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Possession of Narcotics for Sales and Violation of Probation. Rochin was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. If you have any information about this crime, please contact CVVCGTF member Deputy Henson at (760) 836-1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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