UPDATE: Four arrested as Stanislaus sheriff’s operation targets outlaw motorcycle gangs
Four Modesto men — alleged members of outlaw motorcycle clubs and possibly another gang — were arrested as the Stanislaus Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office said.
According to a news release, some of the “noteworthy” arrests included Vincent Ball, 62, Anthony Vincent Soria, 37, Alfeiri Mishell Taneiya, 26 and Emilio Diaz Martinez, 35, all of Modesto. But Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Luke Schwartz clarified to The Bee that the four Modestans were the only people arrested Wednesday. Their exact affiliations with gangs is being determined as part of an ongoing investigation.
Of the four arrested, three appeared on the Stanislaus jail booking log: Soria, being held on $180,000 bail, Taneiya, $35,000, and Martinez, $110,000.
The charges included felon in possession of a firearm, steroid possession, possession of an assault weapon and silencer, manufacturing and sale of metal knuckles and possession of narcotics along with a loaded firearm.
The Sheriff’s Office said the operation Wednesday, including silmutaneous execution of 12 search warrants, was the result of a months-long criminal investigation also involving the FBI and law enforcement agencies in San Joaquin and Tuolumne counties.
In addition to the arrests, the search warrants resulted in the seizure of 50 firearms, gun silencers, “gang indicia” (such as patches on vests), narcotics and controlled substances, bomb-making materials and ammunition.
The investigation began with acts of violence that took place last year in a dispute among the members of the Hells Angels and Salida Nomads biker clubs and the Mongol street gang, the news release said. Regarding the 2023 acts of violence, Schwartz said detectives will not release any specifics at this time. Investigations remain ongoing and they don’t want to compromise cases, he said.
The Sheriff’s Office special investigations unit raided the Hells Angels clubhouse in downtown Stockton on Wednesday and also went to a location in Turlock.
Other law enforcement agencies were involved with the operation, creating a heavy police presence at East Miner Avenue and San Joaquin Street in Stockton. The CHP and police departments of Modesto, Ceres, Turlock, Stockton and Manteca and the Calaveras County sheriff’s office assisted with the operation Wednesday.
Tipsters wishing to share information may contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. They may also leave anonymous tips by calling Stanislaus County Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 or go to www.stancrimetips.org.
