The Horry County Police Department held a news conference Monday to announce the arrests of 15 people in connection with illegal activity by the outlaw motorcycle gang, the Hell's Angels.
According to Horry County Police Interim Chief Saudra Rhodes, the Grand Jury handed down 226 indictments on 34 people last Friday.
The sealed indictments were opened Monday morning, and 11 search warrants were served in Horry and Georgetown counties.
The charges against the 15 include trafficking marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, assault by mob and unlawful use of a telephone. Those arrested include the president, secretary, and prospects of the motorcycle club Hell's Angels, and one member of the club Red Devils.
One of those arrested is the president of the local Hell's Angel chapter, Ellis Howard Shindler, said Rhodes.
Schindlers charged with manufacturing marijuana, criminal conspiracy, assault by mob, accessory to kidnapping, accessory to assault and battery first degree.
Police say additional arrests include: Thomas Allen Doucette Sr., Scott Richard Rowan, Jeffrey Carl Lozier, Melanie Ann Doucette, Patrick John Baker, Ashley Nicole Martin, Thomas Allen Doucette Jr., Jacob Pierce Austin, Jessica Diane Martin, Christina Elizabeth Baker, Lee Michael, Daniel John Baker, John Volosin, and Scott Hoy.
Rhodes believes Shindler was in charge of the whole operation.
Numerous police cars and a SWAT truck were spotted in areas around Surfside Beach throughout the day.
Police arrived at one location, Seagull Landing Court near Highway 707, just after noon. We spoke with Joe Sheehy, who lives on the street. He says about 15 police vehicles showed up around 8 a.m. and police arrested at least four people at a neighbor's home. Sheehy says the Department of Social Services took two small children from the house.
Police also seized boxes from a home on Deer Trace Circle, not far from Seagull Landing Court. They loaded the boxes into a U-Haul truck before leaving that home.
There was also an unrelated arrest during the raids today. Diane Vitak was arrested and charged with possesion of steroids.
We will continue to update this story as more is revealed about the arrests and the operation.
According to Horry County Police Interim Chief Saudra Rhodes, the Grand Jury handed down 226 indictments on 34 people last Friday.
The sealed indictments were opened Monday morning, and 11 search warrants were served in Horry and Georgetown counties.
The charges against the 15 include trafficking marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, assault by mob and unlawful use of a telephone. Those arrested include the president, secretary, and prospects of the motorcycle club Hell's Angels, and one member of the club Red Devils.
One of those arrested is the president of the local Hell's Angel chapter, Ellis Howard Shindler, said Rhodes.
Schindlers charged with manufacturing marijuana, criminal conspiracy, assault by mob, accessory to kidnapping, accessory to assault and battery first degree.
Police say additional arrests include: Thomas Allen Doucette Sr., Scott Richard Rowan, Jeffrey Carl Lozier, Melanie Ann Doucette, Patrick John Baker, Ashley Nicole Martin, Thomas Allen Doucette Jr., Jacob Pierce Austin, Jessica Diane Martin, Christina Elizabeth Baker, Lee Michael, Daniel John Baker, John Volosin, and Scott Hoy.
Rhodes believes Shindler was in charge of the whole operation.
Numerous police cars and a SWAT truck were spotted in areas around Surfside Beach throughout the day.
Police arrived at one location, Seagull Landing Court near Highway 707, just after noon. We spoke with Joe Sheehy, who lives on the street. He says about 15 police vehicles showed up around 8 a.m. and police arrested at least four people at a neighbor's home. Sheehy says the Department of Social Services took two small children from the house.
Police also seized boxes from a home on Deer Trace Circle, not far from Seagull Landing Court. They loaded the boxes into a U-Haul truck before leaving that home.
There was also an unrelated arrest during the raids today. Diane Vitak was arrested and charged with possesion of steroids.
We will continue to update this story as more is revealed about the arrests and the operation.
