If that’s not some irony…
I logged on to the blog dashboard this morning to approve comments and noticed several hundred views of an article I posted back in 2008 on the California-based Vagos Motorcycle Club. As I made my way to the Google reader I learned that some 30+ members of the Vagos, also known as the “Green Nation” were arrested Saint Patrick’s Day in a multistate police raid.
The Vagos, formed in the late 1960s and have been the subject of numerous investigations. Back in 2006, at least 25 Vagos members were arrested for various weapons and drug violations after a three-year investigation that the Orange County Register called one of the “largest coordinated law enforcement probes ever conducted in the region.”
The “raids” on Wednesday were collectively called “Operation Everywhere” and comprised “sixty local and federal police agencies” serving warrants in four states: Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California and involved some 400 police officers. As many as 70 locations were hit in Southern California, where police seized weapons and drugs and discovered a methamphetamine lab. The California Attorney General, Jerry Brown held a press conference releasing very few additional details on the scope of the investigation or what law enforcement plans are to eliminate the “threat” posed by the Vagos. It’s been previously reported that the Vagos chapter in Bullhead City, Arizona has been closely scrutinized by officers of the Arizona Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission since June 2009.
Some of the news reports suggest that the arrests have a connection to the discovery of at least four booby-traps targeting Southern California gang task force officers. The cash-strapped state and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who set the traps, which included an attempt to blow up the gang officers’ headquarters.
Like so many of these motorcycle club arrests they have a tendency to fall apart for the district attorney who is committed to pursuing justice. I wouldn’t be shocked to learn that the Riverside County DA (Rod Pacheco) stepped on an ongoing ATF investigation or would I be shocked to learn that Mr. Pacheco (who has gubernatorial aspirations) made a splashy arrest for the TV cameras. Don’t get me wrong, the Vagos aren’t immune from having criminal issues, but it does make a person wonder what’s going on.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.
Northwest Harley Blog 
Great. I’d like nothing more than to see this green pond scum removed from existence.
In a better world there would be open season on them. They and they’re ilk are garbage with an IQ about equal to pond scum. They’re only value to society would be as moving targets for practice.
Dear Mac,
While not wishing for moving targets as above, I do think you could have mentioned the assaults on police alleged to have been committed against the Hemet PD by this gang. That’s more than ‘having criminal issues’.
The urban terrorism (3 lethal traps) is vastly more relevant than St. Paddy’s Day. It is also way more relevant than Mr. Pacheco’s electoral aspirations.
Imagine you are coming to work, open the gate to the parking lot, and a zip-gun booby trap slams you in the face. This threat is what Hemet PD is facing every day. Like most people under assault, they have a pretty good idea who is assaulting them.
The PD takes it to court and you’re right–much less chance of success in prosecution than the zip-gun or pipe bomb trap. The court showdown is more honorable, however.
Your blog, so you write it how you choose–but writing it this way does not really address what’s occuring.
Sincerely,
Ann T.
@Ann – Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Although I didn’t specifically mention Hemet PD, I did state: “Some of the news reports suggest that the arrests have a connection to…” in the second to last paragraph.
My research found nothing conclusive in that the VMC was involved in any urban terrorism. At this point it’s speculation. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not defending VMC’s illegal activity. I have the viewpoint that much of this illegal activity has a waterfall effect that taints public opinion against all motorcyclists. I was mainly pointing out what most often happens in these “MEGA” raids (4 states; 400 officers: 70 locations in CA)… they seem to fall apart after they land in the legal system receiving reduced sentences vs. what is often publicized by law enforcement as taking down the club.
Dear Mac,
Thanks for a straight answer. I do hope they catch whoever did these crimes. No police officer should have to work under those conditions (or anyone, for that matter).
I wish you a nice sunny day and the time for a good excursion. And I wish for Hemet PD to be free of this outrageous threat. It affects us all.
Sincerely,
Ann T.
notice,,,there is no mention of any vagos arrested for any threats against the hemet gang task force or any police agency !!!! because there is no proof of that,you can put blame on anyone you want,and the riverside has had a hard on for the vagos for years !!!@ just because they wear colors,,doesnt mean they are a gang,,also have you ever seen vago grafitti ?? you never will !!! the riverside has larger problems in their juristiction than the vagos !!!!!!
Dear Mac,
It does look like the investigation has turned away from the Vagos in re: Hemet PD. And according to the rule of law, we can suspect people–but the state has to prove guilt.
I hope they do catch whoever did this in Hemet–and if Vagos are not involved, I apologize for catching the prevailing wind.
But to Woodstock, I do persist in thinking that they are a gang. I have not read anything that changes my mind on that.
Sincerely,
Ann T.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/-vagos-defamation-lawsuit-settled.html