Where Angels Tread

VENTURA —  Judging from the festive crowd on the sidewalk, you might have guessed the circus was coming to town.

But the slow, steely parade of police in the street seemed more like a plan to snag Public Enemy No. 1.

As hundreds of Hells Angels from around the world roared into Ventura for the group’s three-day 50th anniversary party, downtown roused itself.

News crews set up cameras everywhere, and Angels’ supporters waited on the street for the thrilling rumble of a thousand Harleys.

Meanwhile, police saturated the downtown area on motorcycles and bicycles, in black-and-white cruisers and unmarked late-model cars, on foot patrols and dog patrols. Officers made two arrests, neither involving serious crimes. Investigators, however, were looking into a report of a Sunday night sexual assault allegedly involving a prospective Hells Angels member.

But the crowd downtown was hardly quaking.

Some Main Street stores posted signs that said “Welcome Angels!” The Atelier de Chocolat advertised “the cheapest motorcycles in town”--6.5 ounces of candy Harley, available in dark chocolate or milk chocolate for $8.95.

“We thought it would be a fun thing for them to take home as souvenirs,” said Audrey Gaffney, one of the store’s owners.

Some Angels who had arrived early took advantage of such offers--although as of 3 p.m. none had strolled into a shop called For Your Home for the six dining room chairs displayed outside with motorcycle-emblazoned upholstery.

“The chances of selling them are better now than ever before,” said manager Kevin Ceelos, who said the unusual chairs have been on hand for about two years.

With two pals from the Angels’ White Rock chapter in British Columbia, Ron McKercher ambled down Main Street carrying a bag with a gift for his daughter: an angel music-box. Wearing their trademark leathers, the trio dutifully waited at the corners until the lights turned green.

“We’ve got cops here all the way down from Canada,” said McKercher, pointing to a white sedan with a passenger he said was videotaping them. “They’re on paid holiday, coming down here to watch us.”

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Members from as far as Brazil, Denmark and Finland arrived over the weekend, driving rental cars up from Los Angeles. But most came in a pack Monday afternoon, fresh from a few days of partying in San Bernardino.

George Christie Jr., president of the Ventura chapter, led them the final 50 miles or so from the San Fernando Valley. “I’ve led some big packs before, but they were at funerals,” he said. “This was a totally different atmosphere. It was very positive. Everybody was very excited.”

About 130 high-decibel bikes roared up Highway 33, then down Ventura Avenue to the Angels’ clubhouse on Fix Way. Members waving flashlights stopped traffic and directed bikers through a barricade of orange cones. Dozens of spectators watched as riders sporting colors from around the world wheeled in.

Christie had earlier put out word that the Angels would cruise down Main Street--an act of defiance after perceived harassment by law enforcement.

In particular, Christie objected to the sudden posting downtown of signs banning motorcycle parking and the oddly timed arrest of a Ventura Hells Angel for alleged delinquency in his child-support payments.

However, after a meeting Sunday with Ventura police, he changed his mind.

“It seems there’s a lot of interest in watching the motorcycles, so congestion would be horrendous,” he said.

Still, Angel fans lined the street, yearning for a spectacle.

“To hear that roar!” Cheyenne Godfrey said. “Don’t you get a feeling off of that--a feeling of freedom, a natural high?”

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Josephine Serrano, 64, of Oxnard had been waiting since 9 a.m.--along with her husband, her daughter, her dog Pepito, and a 4-year-old family friend. “I saw them when they were up here during the Olympics and it was just thrilling,” she said. “I really didn’t want to miss them.”

With the help of an Angel, Josephine mounted the little boy on a parked Harley for a photograph. “They’re really so nice to talk to,” she said.

The atmosphere was more college reunion than criminal conspiracy.

Underneath a light drizzle, a bearded, burly man from South Carolina gave a leathery bear hug to an Angel from California.

“Hey man,” he said. “What’s the deal with this liquid sunshine?”

Outsiders were not allowed beyond the barricade for what Christie said would be an evening of “eating, drinking, and kicking back and having a good time.”

Even so, law enforcement was taking no chances.

Police on Sunday issued 14 citations for infractions such as driving with a suspended license and driving with an open alcohol container. Monday’s citations had not yet been tallied.

In addition, there were two arrests Monday--one for carrying a concealed weapon and the other for outstanding warrants. Both were made during traffic stops, according to police.

Police would not disclose details of Sunday’s reported sexual assault. Christie said the suspect denied the accusation but met with police Monday evening to answer questions.

“The individual has gone to the station and he will submit to any type of bodily fluid tests they want, because he is denying it completely,” Christie said.

Police identified a 25-year-old Ventura Hells Angels prospect as the suspect in the rape case late Monday afternoon, Christie said. At that point, the local Angels chapter president spoke with the young man, conferred with an attorney and Ventura Police Sgt. Ken Corney, the department’s gang expert. The man turned himself in about 7:30 p.m.

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Ventura police, who would not identify the man, declined comment on the ongoing investigation.

Angels expressed sad bewilderment at law enforcement’s interest in their organization.

“We’re just here for sightseeing and fellowshipping with the brothers,” said an Angel who had flown in from Canaan, Maine. Like a number of others, he was uncomfortable giving his name.

Some residents criticized the show of force by police in the downtown area. At one point, eight officers converged on an Angel who’d been pulled over at the corner of California and Santa Clara streets. He later said he’d been given a warning for inoperable turn signals.

“Why are they wasting their money?” asked Barbara Domenicis as she ambled Main Street with her 14-month-old daughter. “They need to get tough on the gangbangers and drug dealers.”

From the police command post, Ventura Police Lt. Don Arth said enforcement against the Angels is no different from that against other citizens.

“Our direction to officers is to take appropriate action for whatever violations they see,” he said. “We’re not interested in tickets for minor infractions like taillight violations and those type of things. Those aren’t necessary.”

Police from every agency in the county have been made available to Ventura. Thirty to 50 officers were patrolling the downtown and Avenue areas Monday afternoon, and more were assigned for duty Monday night, said Assistant Chief Mike Tracy.

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A man was beaten in San Bernardino over the weekend after accidentally hitting an Angel motorcycle, authorities there said. But officials in Ventura looked forward to a peaceful three-day visit.

“We’ve tried to speak only in positive terms,” said Bill Clawson, executive director of the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. “We treat everyone as a welcome guest until they prove otherwise. If a couple of Angels come in looking for information on restaurants or where they can buy something--be it a souvenir or an auto part--we’d treat them just like a visitor from Norway looking for a place to change money.”

Such courtesy has rewards beyond neighborliness.

Local hotels reported a significant jump in business. By late Monday afternoon, the Vagabond Inn was almost booked up, as were other hostelries.

The average conventioneer in Ventura spends $147 daily on lodging, food and souvenirs, Clawson said. If 500 Angels show up--as Christie now predicts--that could be a hefty boost to city tourism.

The Angels did not ask the bureau’s help before planning its get-together, Clawson noted.

“Normally with a convention that size there’s a lot of notice and we work with them,” he said. “We put together goodie bags with brochures and coupons for local businesses. We’ll even do name badges for them. The Hells Angels did not ask us for name badges.”

Times staff writers Daryl Kelley and Scott Hadly contributed to this story.