Thursday, March 18, 2010

Wichita gang and homicide investigators say they've cleared one murder, and may have made substantial headway on three more.

Lt. Ken Landwehr told KAKE News on Thursday officers arrested five suspected Asian gang members during the day Wednesday. Landwehr said policy did not allow him to identify by name the two gangs of which the suspects are believed to be a part.

Court records show the suspects are Thanh Do, 23, Jason Pou, 24, Cuong Pham, 19, Mark Pou, 27, and Michael Pham, 25.

Do was charged Thursday morning with 2nd Degree Murder in connection with the Dec. 27 shooting death of 25-year-old Eric Pou in the parking lot of the Da Nang restaurant on N. Broadway.

Do, along with the other four suspects, are also charged with five counts of aggravated battery and assault connected to a Dec. 19 disturbance at Club Indigo in Old Town.

Landwehr said tips from the public helped crack the murder of Eric Pou, and the fight that erupted at Club Indigo.

Investigators believe some of the five suspects arrested Wednesday may also have links to a Jan. 2009 double-murder during a funeral wake in Southeast Wichita. Sixty-six year old Keo Intavong and 22-year-old Jeff Chitanavong were killed during a drive-by.

Investigators say that shooting was retaliation for the Sept. 2006 death of 19-year-old Daniel Dang, killed during a wedding ceremony at the All-American Indian Center. Police believe Wednesday's arrests may also help solve Dang's murder.

WPD spokesperson Gordon Bassham says two additional suspects are also behind bars. One, a 25-year-old man, was arrested in late December on a parole violation. The second, a 28-year-old man, was arrested March 8 on an unrelated case. The District Attorney's office did not have details immediately available on the other men.

Authorities say they need more information to clear all these crimes, and are asking members of the public who may know something to call homicide detectives at 268-4181, or CrimeStoppers at 267-2111.

CrimeStoppers callers can remain anonymous, and your tip could earn you a $1,000 cash reward.