Suspected Hells Angels member arrested for steroid sales in Live Oak

OFF THE WIRE
BY: Jennifer Squires
Source: mercurynews.com
LIVE OAK - A suspected Hells Angel wanted for battery in Santa Clara County was caught with a gun, anabolic steroids and $40,000 cash when the county gang task force raided his Live Oak home Friday morning, the Sheriff's Office reported.

William Bettencourt, 38, was arrested on suspicion of possessing steroids for sale, gang participation, being a felon in possession of a gun and a warrant from Campbell police, according to Mario Sulay, gang task force commander.

About 10 officers from the gang task force, Watsonville police's gang team, the Sheriff's Office and Campbell police raided Bettencourt's home, on the 2200 block of Ivy Lane, early Friday to serve the arrest warrant, according to Sulay.

Finding drugs and the gun surprised police.

"It's something we just walked into," Sulay said.

Officers found more than 10 vials of anabolic steroids, about 25 other vials containing a white powder that Bettencourt said was human growth hormone and hypodermic needles, Sulay reported.

Authorities weren't certain how much the drugs were worth and have not determined who Bettencourt was allegedly selling to.

"We don't deal with a lot of steroid cases around here," Sulay said, explaining officers will continue to investigate the drugs.

There also were items in the house that indicated Bettencourt is a Hells Angels member, according to Sulay.

"Hells Angels, as a gang, have been known to engage in a pattern of criminal activity," Assistant District Attorney Charlie Baum said. "In this particular case we are looking at him as an active participant in the gang."

The Hells Angels are recognized as a criminal street gang under California Penal Code. There is a Hells Angels chapter that claims Santa Cruz County as its territory, but it's rare for one of the members to be arrested and charged under the gang statute.

In addition, Bettencourt was armed with a semi-automatic handgun when he was arrested, according to Sulay. He has at least two prior felony convictions, Sulay said. He did not know what the crimes were but said the convictions prohibit Bettencourt from owning guns.

Outlaw motorcycle gang crime is unusual in Santa Cruz County.

However, in January an alleged member of the Vagos motorcycle club, a rival of the Hells Angels, was arrested after a street fight involving both gangs. Thomas Froberg, 37, of Live Oak will go to trial on charges of fighting in public and gang participation Nov. 8, Baum said.

Baum said Bettencourt has no ties to the fight.

Details about Bettencourt's battery charge from Santa Clara County were not available Friday. Campbell police did not return calls seeking comment.