Cops arrest kids who formed new gang blamed for rising crimes in Galveston

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- A specialized task force created to tackle the rising number of aggravated robberies in Galveston has discovered a new gang known as the "Omegas".

Galveston Police Chief Henry Poretto was not shy when discussing how his community was taken by storm this summer. "They have no fear and it's scary to us as law enforcement officials. You got someone out there who's got a gun who can ruin somebody's life."

Robberies, burglaries, stolen vehicles, carjackings -- it's a list of crimes that kept growing -- 25 aggravated robberies alone in less than two months. The Huggy Bear convenience store was robbed at gunpoint at the end of July.

So the chief created a special task force to hit the streets. And in one week they uncovered a new gang called the Omegas, made up mostly of African American juveniles.

"These are kids but they are acting as convicts and are doing criminal acts that are unspeakable," Chief Poretto said

The youngest is just 11. Because they are kids we can't show you their faces. Police say they've arrested 15 in all -- including two girls and the two who served as the leaders.

"They're using pepper spray to try to disable the victim, try to spray it in their eyes."

Although none of the victims were seriously injured police believed the street gang was capable of doing much more. Five weapons were recovered from the suspects during the time of the arrest, including a large amount of stolen property.