Below is an overview of Detective Broyles Vagos investigation. He has approved dissemination for AMEN and Tri State.
Great Work Josh and everyone who assisted. This is an excellent example of the benefit of collaboration when working OMG investigations.
Be safe everyone,
Jeff Viles
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On 08/12/2022, at about 2200 hours, in the area of 5000 W Bethany Home rd, a group of about 6 Vagos MC gang members stopped the movement of 4 victims riding sports bikes. The Vagos would not let them pass, and eventually stopped their movement altogether. One Vagos member began an assault against one victim, pushing him over and knocking down his sportbike. The other gang members quickly joined in on the assault. With one member threatening the 3 female victims not to get involved. The other three victims were also physically prevented from helping their friend. The victim was violently assaulted and unable to defend himself due to the amount of assailants hitting him at the same time.
After the initial assault ended, the victim removed his helmet and kicked the bike of the Vagos member who initially detained the group, while the suspect sat on his bike. This resulted in more severe retaliation by the members, with the victim being chased and hit with a blunt object, later found to be a “slapjack.” This caused the victim to get 8 staples in his head. The member who started the assault then punched one of the female victims in the head and kicked over their bikes. As the Vagos committed this crime, they wore helmets, and the gang colors/cuts.
Over the course of 4 months, several other gang investigators were consulted and 5 out of 6 gang members who were present were identified using the pattern of their cuts, and stickers on their helmets. Other investigative tools confirmed their placement at the scene of the crime.
On December 1st, 2022, 5 warrants were served on 6 locations throughout Glendale, Mesa, city of Maricopa, and Casa Grande, including the Vagos Phoenix chapter club house. This operation included members from Glendale Police GIU, Glendale Police Gang Core, Glendale Police SWAT, DPS SWAT, Pinal County SWAT, Mohave County GIITEM, West Valley GIITEM, East Valley GIITEM, DPS Organized Crime Bureau, Phoenix Police Violent Crimes Bureau, and Maricopa Police Department.
Evidence was seized from every location, and 2 of the suspects, Christian Valentin, and Arthur Stewart were arrested. An additional suspect, Ely Aleman, had already been in custody in Mohave County jail for a different crime, and the whereabouts of a final suspect, Tanner Hodges, was finally located.
Evidence from every location established each members status in the gang. Christian Valentin admitted to his involvement in this crime and admitted the sports bike riders did nothing wrong. Christian was unable to articulate why he was the one to stop their freedom of movement.
In total, 10 search warrants have been served in reference to this investigation thus far. Additional evidence gathered from each search warrant, to include evidence from the club house, is still under review and may reveal additional suspects in this case.
Christian Valentin was booked for kidnapping (in order to commit another felony), Aggravated assault (while the victims capacity to resist is impaired), Gang threats, and Assisting a criminal street gang (ACSG). and MIW for possessing a firearm on the date of the search warrant while being prohibited.
Arthur was booked for Aggravated assault; while the victims capacity to resist is impaired, causing serious physical injury, and using a dangerous instrument (for hitting the victim with the slapjack), and ACSG
Charges are being submitted against Ely Aleman for Aggravated assault (while the victims capacity to resist is impaired) and Promoting a Criminal Street Gang by inciting violence.
Charges are being submitted against Tanner Hodges for facilitation of aggravated assault, and ACSG.
Additional suspects may be located and additional charges may discovered as a result of this operation.
Detective J. Broyles
Violent Crimes Unit
Glendale Police Department
D: 623-930-3754
C: 623-258-6069
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