OFF THE WIRE
BY: Debbi Baker
signonsandiego.com
As El Cajon police SWAT team members stand by, San Diego police officers carry a ladder into the Hell Angels Dago clubhouse on El Cajon Boulevard near Johnson Avenue as part of an early Wednesday morning raid and investigation.
EL CAJON — Authorities with search warrants forcibly entered the Hells Angels Dago clubhouse in El Cajon early Wednesday.U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents, assisted by members of the El Cajon police SWAT team and San Diego police officers, raided the club on El Cajon Boulevard near Johnson Avenue about 5:45 a.m., said DEA Special Agent Amy Roderick.
Officers used explosives to blow off the heavily fortified front door, said El Cajon police Lt. Randy Soulard.
Agents were looking for seven to 11 members or associates of the motorcycle club, all of whom have criminal histories and are wanted in connection with violent crimes, Roderick said.
The raid, one of several being conducted in the county Wednesday, is part of a yearlong investigation into criminal activity associated with the motorcycle club, she said.
No one was at the small white and red compound and no arrests were made. At least two people were arrested before Wednesday’s activity, Roderick said.
Agents were searching the clubhouse looking for evidence and expected to be at the site for about two hours, Roderick said.
Officers also used flash bang grenades as a diversion before breaking into the building.
Besides El Cajon, the other search warrants being served were mainly in the southern parts of the county, Roderick said.
There were no arrests Wednesday, and the investigation is ongoing, said Tanya Sierra, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office.
