Motorcycles continued

A parked Harley-Davidson panhead motorcycle

Saskatoon police to public: Increased presence of Hells Angels

Saskatoon, Canada (September 21, 2018) BTN— Members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club are converging on the city this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club's Saskatoon chapter.

The red and white will be flying frequently in Saskatoon this weekend as members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club are converging on the city to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club’s Saskatoon chapter.

City police say Hells Angels and their associates will be gathering in the city for the celebration and say members of the public can expect to see an increased presence from the motorcycle club from here in Saskatchewan and from right across Canada.

“The Saskatoon Police Service has an operational plan in place and additional policing resources will be on hand to ensure the safety of the public and all those involved,” says the Saskatoon Police Service news release.

This isn’t the first time a large number of Hells Angels from across Canada converged on Saskatoon. In 2012, members of the infamous club converged on the city for the National Run, which saw members from across the country arrive in the bridge city.

Saskatoon Police Services and the RCMP held a press conference to announce drug busts of Hells Angels members and associates on January 15, 2015 in Saskatoon. Members of the club from across Canada are expected to converge on Saskatoon this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Saskatoon Hells Angels chapter

SOURCE: The Star Phoenix

Motorcycle Clubs are breaking the "Outlaw" stereotype

San Angelo, Texas (September 19, 2018) BTN— Motorcycle Clubs are breaking the "Outlaw" stereotype that has been pinned to them.

The club manager at San Angelo's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Janet Sheppard, says, "I've been asked many times why I let the motorcycle clubs hang out at the VFW. Most of the times the people in these motorcycle clubs are either active duty or veterans, and the VFW is there home."

Non-members of the American Motorcyclist Association, and incidents, such as the shootout involving motorcycle club affiliates in Waco, Texas, are some of the things that created the outlaw stereotype of motorcycle clubs.

The president of Iron Horse MC-McCulloch County, "Iron Horse Preacher", says, "To overcome something like Waco, we just have to work and show the community what happened. There was an isolated incident. Those Confederation of Clubs and independent meetings like that — we've been doing this for over twenty years, we've never had an incident at any of them, until that one."

To prove these incidents are individual issues rather than club-associated issues, they involve themselves in different fundraisers and give back to the community.

A member of the Silent Heroes MC, "Squirrel," explained "in July, we did a BBQ benefit at the VFW. Every year we go to Shannon and we go deliver toys to the kids."

Besides fundraising for events, they are also politically involved.

President and Founder of Ponderosas MC, Gypc Serna, says, "We are trying to get motorcycle profiling an amendment on the Texas state constitution."

Members say police pull them over due to their outfits. Profiling also comes from establishments around town.

"There are several in San Angelo, that you can't wear any of your colors in," says Preacher.

So people might ask, why the club? Why not just ride?

"It's the unity of the club, it's the structure of the club," says Preacher. "A lot of the guys that are in clubs are ex-military because they miss that structure that they had in the military."

The clubs call themselves a brotherhood and sisterhood. They enjoy the comradery the organization has to offer.

"If there was ever any trouble in here," says Sheppard. "I feel certain that I would be protected, first of anyone."

SOURCE: Concho Valley Homepage

Hells Angels MC members charged with violence

Greenville, VA. (September 10, 2018) BTN — An alleged fight between rival motorcycle clubs sent two men to a hospital in Augusta County.

Investigators say not a word was said before the violence started early Monday, September 10.

According to Sheriff Donald Smith, members of the Hells Angels from New York attacked two members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club outside an inn on Route 11 around 3 a.m. Monday. One man was beaten, and a second man was shot.

"Both had been at a convention-type thing for the their clubs, and were just passing through the area, and they ended up meeting down in the Greenville area and this is the end result of it," said the sheriff.

"It looks like that the Hells Angels were there first and then the Pagans just showed up to rent a room and it looks like the two just clashed. The one just attacked the other one."

The shooting victim is said to be in serious, but stable condition. The victim of the beating has been treated and released. Both men are from Virginia.

A total of seven Hells Angels have been arrested:

Nathaniel A. Villaman, 27, of East Brunswick, New Jersey: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Andy Thongthawath, 27, of Queens, New York: possession of Schedule I or II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule I or II drug

Joseph Anthony Paturzo, 52, of the Bronx, New York: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Dominick J. Eadicicco, 48, of Staten Island, New Jersey: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Richard E. West, 52, of Baldwin, New York: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Buster Domingo 69, of South Ozone Park, New York: possession Schedule I or II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of Schedule I or II drug

Anthony Vincent Milan, 28, of East Elmhurst, New York: malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Members of the Staunton Police Department assisted in searching the motel. Authorities seized eight Harley Davidson motorcycles, as well as other items.

09/10/2018 Updated Release from the Augusta County Sheriff's Office:

During the early morning hours (approximately 0253) on Monday, September 10, 2018, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at 3554 Lee Jackson Highway in the Greenville area.

When deputies arrived on location they found a male victim who had been shot and an additional male who was beaten.

Deputies secured the motel and established a perimeter around the motel.

Tactical teams from the Staunton Police Department and the ACSO executed a search warrant on three rooms. At that time seven members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club were detained without incident and transported to the ACSO to be interviewed.

The Hells Angels are from the New York City area.

Five are being charged:

Malicious wounding

Use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Two of the Hells Angels were charged:

Possession of meth

Possession of a schedule 1 or 2 drug while in possession of a firearm

As a result of the search warrant numerous Hells Angels’ clothing, jewelry, and motorcycles were seized as part of the investigation.

Both victims are members of the Pagan MC in Virginia.

09/10/2018 Release from the Augusta County Sheriff's Office:

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning shooting in Greenville, VA.

The preliminary investigation revealed that one man was shot, and another was assaulted. The shooting victim was transported to the hospital where he is undergoing surgery.

The male who was assaulted was also transported to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Seven men were detained at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

There is no current threat to the community.

As a precautionary measure, schools and a daycare in the area were notified of the incident.

SOURCE: NBC29