California - Azusa police confiscate Mongols paraphernalia at club
AZUSA - Police confiscated outlaw motorcycle gang paraphernalia over the weekend at a fundraiser held by the Mongols at a club on Foothill Boulevard.
Nearly 140 people, including members of the motorcycle gangs Mongols and Vagos, attended the Saturday night event at the D-Club, at 975 West Foothill Blvd.
"We have biker clubs that come in and out of town, but don't normally have biker club gatherings this big and we typically don't have the Mongols here," said Azusa Sgt. Bruce Badoni.
Police issued a bulletin on Thursday informing surrounding law enforcement agencies of the anticipated gathering at the D-Club.
In fear that the event could break out in fights or other criminal activity, about 40 police stood watch outside of the club during the event from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"Knowing the background of the Mongols and that trouble seems to trail them, we deployed officers to the scene," Badoni said. "I don't think they were happy we were there."
The U.S. Department of Justice considers the Mongols as a serious criminal to the Pacific and Southwest regions.
While it was busy, police said there were no major incidents, such as fights, and no arrests were made.
"We would consider it a fairly calm event in that we didn't have to take a bunch of law enforcement action,: Bandoni said.
Police did, however, confiscate a box of T-shirts that contained the Mongols insignia. Police also took the shirts off some people's back that contained the Mongols logo.
A federal judge in October barred the Mongols motorcycle gang from wearing or distributing its logo that often appears on leather vests and Harley-Davidson bikes.
U.S. District Court Judge Florence-Marie Cooper granted an injunction in October that prohibits gang members, their family members and associates from wearing, licensing, selling or distributing the logo.
The order came one day after a nationwide, federal sweep that landed 61 Southern California Mongols members in jail. They face a variety of charges ranging from narcotics trafficking to murder.
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