Glendale: October 2008 Archives
Less than a week after what may have been a shooting between rival motorcycle gangs on area freeways, thousands of bikers are descending on Palm Springs this morning as part of the American Heat rally. The shooting resulted in the death of Manuel Martin, of Venice.
Here's what FOX 11 is reporting about the rally:
No problems were reported this afternoon during the first hours of a motorcycle rally in downtown Palm Springs that is expected to draw 10,000 cyclists, a police lieutenant said.
"It looks like a good start and we have had no problems reported so far," said Palm Springs police Lt. John Booth.
Hundreds of booths have been set up on Palm Canyon Drive -- the city's main drag -- for the 2008 American Heat Motorcycle Weekend, which began at 2 p.m.
Palm Canyon Drive, from Alejo to Baristo roads, will remain shut down until 9 p.m. Sunday, said city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell.
The event will feature stunt shows, live entertainment and motorcycle vendors.
Police Chief David Dominguez told the Desert Sun he does not expect any violence during the event, despite past conflicts in California among rival motorcycle gangs.
In wake of increased violence between outlaw motorcycle gangs, Palm Desert is prepping for a weekend orgy of motorcyclists to descend on the Riverside County Community, according to the Desert Sun:
Palm Springs Police Chief David Dominguez told merchants this week that while there have been recent incidents around the state between rival motorcycle gangs, he does not expect violence during this weekend's event.
"They (the motorcycle groups) have let us know they are coming and they just want to have fun," Dominguez said.
Earlier this year, Dominguez warned the City Council that he was concerned about rising incidents among the Mongols, Vagos and Hells Angels motorcycle gangs.
He said this week that there is always a chance that something could happen, but his department will be prepared.
There will be a heavy presence of uniformed officers throughout the weekend, as well as volunteer and off-duty law enforcement officers who will be in town showing off their own bikes, Dominguez said. Burke said he will also have security on hand to ensure a family-friendly event.
"I think we will be fine," Dominguez said.
Here's a photo of Manuel Martin supplied by the DMV. Martin was apparently shot and killed at the 210 2 connector on the Glendale La Canada border early Wednesday morning, officials said. He was 30. 
Police are working two theories in regard to the incident. The first is that Martin may have been killed as a result of road rage. The second involves a fellow motorcyclist's apparent affiliation with the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang and an ongoing feud between the Hell's Angels and Mongols. Police don't know (or wont' say) if Martin was a Mongol.
A motorcyclist who was shot to death on a freeway in Glendale may have been a member of the Montebello-based Mongols motorcycle gang, authorities said Wednesday.
The shooting occurred about 2 a.m. And the connector linking the 2 and the 210 was shut down for most of the morning, authorities said.
The death may be the latest chapter in a feud between the Mongols and the Hells Angels.
In early September, Hells Angels leader Mark "Papa: Guardado was shot to death in San Francisco's Mission District. Christopher Ablett, a Modesto member of the Mongols is believed to be responsible for the slaying, according to witnesses.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
Guardado was killed about a mile from the Hells Angels clubhouse on Tennessee Street, where he lived as head of what the group calls the Frisco chapter.
Police say murder charges were filed against Ablett in San Francisco earlier this week. He is considered armed and dangerous, and is being sought on a $5 million arrest warrant.
Homicide Inspector Karen Lynch declined to elaborate on a possible motive for the killing, other than to say Guardado and Ablett apparently argued on the street before the shooting.
Ablett is a freelance electrician who lives with his parents in a suburban neighborhood of Modesto.
* Ablett turned himself in to authorities in Oklahoma yesterday, according to the Associated Press:
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) - The man police think killed the leader of the San Francisco Hells Angels motorcycle gang last month surprised a smalltown police force in Oklahoma by turning himself in.** The official Mongols Web site is here.
Bartlesville Police Chief Tom Holland says Christopher Ablett showed up to surrender Sunday.
A check of Ablett's name and fingerprints turned up nothing tying him to any case in Oklahoma. He suggested they might want to expand their search, and that's when a California warrant for his arrest popped onto the screen with a $5 million bond attached. Ablett told the officers, "That would be me."
Holland says Ablett was "as polite as could be," and not someone you'd think killed anyone.
Ablett is said to be part of a rival motorcycle gang fueding with the Hells Angels.
***The dead man has been identified as Manuel V. Martin, of Torrance or Venice. He was 30 years old.
FRANK GIRARDOT
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