Entire Hells Angels chapter arrested for kidnapping, robbery and assault

An entire chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club has been arrested on various violent charges, including kidnapping, first-degree robbery and assault with a firearm, California authorities said Tuesday.

Six members of the Bakersfield unit, including its president and vice president, were arrested and a seventh was already in custody following a joint investigation by the Kern County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. .

Those arrested ranged in age from 31 to 57, KCSO said. Five were members of the Bakersfield Hells Angels club, while two were members of the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club, which KCSO says is a sub-affiliate that receives “orders and directives” from the former.

Each suspect was booked into the Lerdo office of the Kern County Sheriff's Office on charges of kidnapping, first-degree robbery, assault with a firearm, criminal threats, false imprisonment, participating in a criminal street gang, criminal conspiracy, intimidation of a witness or victim and an elder. abuse.

Eight search warrants were executed at various locations throughout Bakersfield in addition to the arrests.

In photos posted to Facebook, the Kern County Sheriff's Office shows more than 150 items seized by law enforcement as part of the investigation. This included 25 firearms, ammunition, several high-capacity magazines and gang-affiliated paraphernalia, KCSO said. Other photos showed street signs, leather and denim vests, hats, a blanket, posters and more, all showing the “Hells Angels” nickname or symbolism.

KCSO said the investigation is ongoing and charges are being filed with the Kern County Prosecutor's Office.

The Hells Angels are believed to have started after World War II somewhere in California, with some saying it started in Fontana while others say in San Bernardino. Each charter operates independently, but several U.S. government groups identify the organization as an organized crime motorcycle gang, carrying out operations including extortion, drug trafficking and arms trafficking.

The U.S. Department of Justice says the Hells Angels are one of several outlaw motorcycle gangs that pose a “serious national threat” due to drug trafficking and smuggling.