The Hemet-San Jacinto valley has had a rash of attacks targeting the police
department, putting residents and officers on edge. (Creative Commons)

Hemet police suspect that vengeful gangs may be responsible for torching four unoccupied city trucks in a City Hall parking lot late Tuesday night.

The fire started around 11:30 p.m. in a parking lot two blocks away from the Hemet Police Department. Police arrived within moments of receiving reports of the fire and found the four city-enforcement vehicles with broken windows and charred engines.  
           
Hemet police believe Tuesday's arson is the fourth in a series of attacks that have targeted the police department since Dec. 31.
           
The first three attacks were specifically aimed at the Hemet-San Jacinto Gang Task Force, which has lead officers to suspect that gangs or a gang may be using the crimes to threaten or scare the police from performing gang sweeps and effectively doing their jobs.

The task force was first targeted on New Year's Eve when the culprits rerouted a local gas line into the group's office building, filling the structure with flammable gas fumes in an attempt to trigger a major explosion.
           
The same building was targeted in February when a loaded gun was rigged outside of a gate. When an officer opened the gate, the gun fired and barely missed him. The two attacks caused the building to close.
           
A week later, a Hemet gang task force officer discovered an alleged deadly device on the ground  that had been attached to his car.
           
Although it is has not been confirmed whether or not the most recent arson attack is related to the rest, Hemet police plan on increasing defensive measures and intensifying the search for the perpetrators.
           
"The idea that this has gone on long enough passed through my head a long time ago," said Hemet Police Chief Richard Dana.
           
State Attorney General Jerry Brown announced a $200,000 reward last week for any information leading to the perpetrator's arrest.
           
Until then, Hemet police said they will not let the threats affect their ability to defend the public and they will simply just have to employ extra safety measures for themselves while they are out protecting the safety of Hemet residents.