Vatos Locos

Vatos Locos (in English, Crazy Brothers) is a street gang. Gangs using this name are active in several American states, Mexico, Colombia and in the European Union. While more traditionally considered to have originated in Guanajuato, Mexico, the two founding members originally concocted the Vatos Locos while dining at Shakey's Pizza in Santa Monica, California. Vatos Locos has continued to grow since then and have extended their presence to New York City and Western Europe. They represent their gang affiliation with red or black bandanas worn in the back right pocket of their pants. Their graffiti consists of "Vatos Locos," the Lowrider logo, or Lil Rob. These images are also present in gang tattoos. Vatos Locos are mainly Mexicans or Chicano, but all ethnicities are accepted. Their dress consists of green, red or black shirts and khaki pants or shorts, and jewelry of chains or crosses and mostly represent the colors of red, green, and black.

Vatos Locos
Vatos Locos tattoos, La Haya, Netherlands
Founded1950's
FounderJesus Escobar Romero Jr.
Founding locationDalton Georgia
TerritoryLos Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Texas, Mexico, Colombia, The Netherlands
Membership10,000 - 30,000
Criminal activitiesBattery, racketeering, murder, extortion, drug trafficking .
AlliesSinaloa Cartel
People Nation
Ñetas
Bloods
Vice Lords
Norteños
Latin Kings
RivalsBlack Disciples
MS-13
18th Street gang
Trinitarios
Los Zetas
Aryan Brotherhood

Their biggest rival are Surenos and they are often called Surats (South Rats) by VL members. Among their other rivals are Aryan Brotherhood, and Los Zetas. Their allies are People Nation, Sinaloa Cartel, Bloods, Ñetas, Vice Lords, and Latin Kings.

Vatos Locos has established itself in Colombia, Gran Canaria, the Netherlands and US states including California, Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Arizona and Indiana. They have shown a new presence in Ontario, Canada.[1][2]

Also Vatos Locos have presences in Honduras.[3]

The film Blood In Blood Out (1993) about the life of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca in 1972, was based on the experiences of gang members of Vatos Locos.[4]

The video game Call of Juarez: The Cartel features a fictional Vatos Locos gang.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Yonkers cops hurt while arresting stab suspect". The Journal News. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01. Vivanco violently resisted arrest and was eventually handcuffed with the assistance of other officers, police said. He is a suspected member of the Vatos Locos gang.
  2. "U.S. V. Hernandez-Mendez". Leagle.com. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-01. Officer Webster knew that the stabbing victim was a member of the Vatos Locos, a Latino gang. Additionally, witnesses told police that members of other Latino gangs, including the Little Vatos Locos ("LVL") and the Latin Locos, had been present at the altercation.
  3. "Capturab a seis supuestos Vatos Locos en la Rievera Hernandez". La Prensa. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  4. Blood in, Blood out on IMDb
  5. "Call of Juarez: The Cartel Trainer". Cheatbook Magazine. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.