AMW On The Road: San Diego

John Walsh and the AMW crew were on location in San Diego, hunting down members of a violent drug gang known as Los Palillos, which is Spanish for "The Toothpicks." That was the nickname of the gang's founder in Mexico. When he was killed in a drug cartel feud, his brother moved the gang north to the San Diego area and began terrorizing American citizens.

John met with the prosecutor who's had some success in taking the gang down -- but he needs the help of AMW's viewers to finish the job. And John met with a now-retired police officer who came face-to-face with the heavily-armed gang and almost didn't live to tell the tale. The story of Los Palillos will be featured on AMW's Aug. 21, 2010, broadcast.

John Walsh interviews San Diego Deputy District Attorney Mark Amador about Los Palillos, a violent gang plaguing the San Diego area. The interview -- and AMW's profile of the gang -- will be part of AMW's Aug. 21 episode.

Supervising Producer Greg Klein checks the shot as the AMW crew shoots this week's episode.

AMW's Miles Perman lines up the Chula Vista, Calif., police vehicles that will be included in the Aug. 21 broadcast.

John Walsh shooting this week's episode with retired Chula Vista Police Officer Rich Deomampo. The story of Rich's close and violent encounter with the Los Palillos gang will be featured Aug. 21 on AMW.

With the San Diego skyline in the background, John Walsh shoots a segment for this week's broadcast.

John Walsh's view on the set of America's Most Wanted.