WASHINGTON -- They were known as "Boogie," "Pee-Wee," "Peanut" and Ed, names that might elicit a chuckle, but there was nothing funny about what police said this four man crew was responsible for.
"It looked like a war zone," said DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier.
A grand jury in the District handed up a 92-count indictment against the four men in connection with a shooting free. They were identified as Joseph "Boogie" Jenkins, James "Pee-Wee" Bates, Darnell "Peanut" Anderson and Edward Warren.
The indictment alleges they were members of a gang called the "Tood Place Crew" and that they were involved in a deadly wave of violence that began in April 2008, and terrorized residents along North Capitol Street and Lincoln Road in northeast Washington .
"They happened day after day after day. Sometimes, there wasn't even 24 hours between the retaliation to the original incident," said Lanier.
There were more than a dozen victims, investigators said. Some were simply caught in the crossfire.
Neighbors said the arrests are a tremendous relief.
Prosecutors said they hope new laws will help to keep the streets safe, and not just in this case.
"The criminal street gang statute was enacted in 2006," said D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles. "We're starting to get a feel for it, and this will be very important in this series of indictments and in indictments to come."
