The entire Bakersfield chapter of the Hells Angels biker gang has been arrested on suspicion of crimes including kidnapping, robbery and assault, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities made the arrests and served eight search warrants Tuesday morning. They seized 25 guns, ammunition, high-capacity magazines and gang paraphernalia, officials said.
Those arrested were identified as follows: Ricardo Alvarez, 42; Armando Villasenor, 55; Joseph Soto Sr., 57; Joseph Soto Jr., 33; Joshua Zavala, 31; and John Seeger, 57. A seventh suspect, Joshua Vaughn, 37, was already in custody on other charges.
According to a sheriff’s department news release, Alvarez, Villasenor, the Sotos and Zavala are members of the notorious biker gang, while Vaughn and Seeger belong to the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club, which takes orders from the Hells Angels.
Other crimes they’re suspected of committing are false imprisonment, criminal threats, intimidating a witness or victim and elder abuse, according to the release.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing, and charges have been referred to the District Attorney’s office. Over 150 law enforcement officers from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were involved in Tuesday’s operation.