Friday, March 17, 2017

6 Hells Angels Arrested on Drug, Gang Charges

Six members and associates of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in the Hudson Valley have been arrested on drug and racketeering charges. All six are members of the New Roc Hells Angels, which authorities say primarily operates in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.

Charges include narcotics trafficking, extortion, money laundering and prostitution. Activities included contraband cigarettes and stolen car parts.

Police say members of the New Roc Hells Angels beat a rival motorcycle gang member over the head with a hammer in a Poughkeepsie restaurant in retaliation for encroaching on their territory.
Thomas Schmidt of Staten Island; Joseph Kaplan of Valhalla; John "Uncle" Calvacchio of Kent; Jeff Amato of Mamaroneck and Gary Paganelli of Cortlandt Manor were arrested in New York Thursday morning, while California resident Michael Piccione was arrested near Los Angeles.