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From left, Miguel Angel Gallegos Jr., Amando Gallegos and Domingo Zapata are three of the four people accused in the gang-related assault of an Ottumwa police officer on Sunday morning.
Officer attacked by gang members in Ottumwa
OTTUMWA — Four people are in custody after an Ottumwa police officer was assaulted Sunday morning in what officials are calling a gang attack.
Officer Rueben Ross was following up on the vandalism of a car when he was attacked by four males in the 900 block of West Third Street at 8:12 a.m. Sunday. Ross used a taser to subdue one subject while other police and sheriff’s deputies responded. Ross sustained facial and head injuries during the attack. He was treated and released at Ottumwa Regional health Center.
Amando Gallegos, 18, 138 N. Sheridan Street, Ottumwa, is charged with robbery, gang participation and interference with official acts.
Miguel Angel Gallegos Jr., 23, no known address, is charged with robbery and gang participation. He was also arrested on outstanding warrants for attempted murder, probation violation and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.
Both men are being held at the Wapello County Jail.
Also arrested were Alejandro Gallegos, 15, 328 S. Cherry Street, Ottumwa, and Domingo Zapata, 17, no known address, both of whom are charged with robbery and gang participation. Zapata is being held in the Wapello County Jail because the gang participation charge escalates the robbery charge. Alejandro Gallegos is being held at the Lee County Juvenile Detention Facility.
Police Chief Jim Clark said the robbery charges stem from attempts during the attack to take Ross’ taser. Each of the adults charged faces up to 30 years in prison on the charges.
The attack also announced the presence of the Latin Kings in Ottumwa. The Latin Kings are considered one of the most organized Hispanic gangs in the United States.
During the assault the attackers said they were members of the gang and that the Latin Kings “rule” Ottumwa, according to the police press release on the attack. The Latin Kings originated in Chicago, much like the Insane Deuces, whose presence in Ottumwa was ended last year when members were arrested on federal charges for running a cocaine ring.
Miguel Gallegos’ arrest also ends a hunt for him that has run since he allegedly shot Oscar Leyva in the 300 block of South Cherry Street on Dec. 15, 2008. Like Sunday’s attack, the shooting is believed to be gang related.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com
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