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NEWS > U.S.A. > LATTE DISPUTE SPARKS WORST CALIFORNIA BIKER FEUD IN A DECADE
LATTE DISPUTE SPARKS WORST CALIFORNIA BIKER FEUD IN A DECADE
October 27 2011
Santa Cruz, CA – It’s been a while, but bike gangs haven’t gone anywhere. In fact, across California many gangs are actually increasing in size and now, after nearly a decade of relative peace, with numbers increasing, turfs are starting to cross over into each other which likely led to a massive battle between two groups that peaked on Wednesday.
The battle between the two gangs, a local chapter of the Hell’s Angels and the Vagos motorcycle clubs, peaked on Wednesday with the killing of Jeffrey, ‘Jethro’ Pettigrew, a chapter president for the Angels. Pettigrew’s death was the latest in a long line of killings that has crossed three states and left nearly a dozen men dead after an incident last year revolving around a Starbucks location and who exactly was allowed to use it.
Contrary to early reports, it’s not believed that the battle had anything to do with the choice of drinks, just where they were being drunk.
“It was all about who would be allowed to hang out at the Starbucks downtown,” said Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief Steve Clark. “The Vagos brazenly came in and tried to cement their presence. It was a pretty strong play on their part to establish themselves as the premiere club.”
The first incident occurred in January 2010 when the members of the two gangs fought each other outside the Santa Cruz Starbucks location. In August of that year tensions flared again outside another location in Arizona.
Pumpkin spice latte is the believed to be the drink of choice for both gangs, but it is believed that the conflict is territorial in nature rather than beverage related.
“Starbucks has no connection to either of these criminal organizations. We have many locations throughout the area and we believe we can serve all patrons equally without the need to resort to violence of any kind. This is not in keeping with the Starbucks company standards,” said a spokesperson for the company. “These types of incidents are very much frowned upon and we will refuse to serve anyone who enters one of our facilities with any type of weapon, be it a gun or a bloody ball peen hammer. This is not the environment we wish to promote.”
Violence has also spread into Nevada locations. The Hells Angels have long controlled the majority of Starbucks locations throughout the region.
“What we have is really a traditional gang turf war. Yes, Starbucks is the focus of this particular battle but that is only a consequence. It really isn’t about Starbucks per say, but about the locations. That is what’s really important,” said Scrape TV Crime analyst Willard Weston. “You have to hold your turf, no matter what. I’m sure having easy access to lattes certainly helps the motivation, but it really is about turf. I mean there are plenty of Starbucks to go around so you wouldn’t really lose out there, but you still need to hold your territory.”
The Vagos club apparently prefers Tazo Chai Tea Latte.
Mike Michaels, American Correspondent
NEWS > U.S.A. > LATTE DISPUTE SPARKS WORST CALIFORNIA BIKER FEUD IN A DECADE
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