Two people were arrested on suspicion of involvement A cockfighting ring Officials announced Monday that more than 200 roosters were involved in Southern California.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies from the Yucaipa station were dispatched to an illegal cockfighting ring on Avenue E in Yucaipa at 10:02 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff's department said. When deputies arrived, approximately 50 vehicles were at the address, most of which were trying to drive away.
As deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, a driver sped toward the patrol unit. The deputy pulled over and attempted a traffic stop, which led to a police chase, officials said.
The vehicle was stopped near 16th Street and Yucaipa Boulevard, where one driver and three others were arrested, authorities said. Six roosters were found in the car's cargo and the driver, Jose Adam, was arrested on assault charges.
Thirty-three spectators were detained at the cockfight, and about 250 roosters, a fighting ring, a scoreboard and steel drums were found, officials said. A man, later identified as Carlos Romero, was found hiding inside a truck with seven roosters. Officers stopped him and found a large amount of cash and a Ruger semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle. He was arrested on charges of possession of weapons and cruelty to animals.
The San Bernardino County Rural Task Force later executed a search warrant on the property and found steel drums and about two dozen guns. The Yucaipa City Code Enforcement team red-tagged several buildings on the property, including a trailer. San Bernardino County Animal Control found 17 dead roosters and eight live roosters and tagged 61 roosters in boxes.