Palm Springs witnessed a significant law enforcement operation this weekend as over 1,000 members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club descended upon the city, resulting in at least 23 arrests. The Palm Springs Police Department, along with the California Highway Patrol, maintained a heightened presence to monitor the gathering of this outlaw motorcycle gang, known for its various chapters uniting for events.
The Mongols Motorcycle Club, often referred to as a “one-percenter” or outlaw biker gang by law enforcement, has a history of large gatherings, and Palm Springs has been a recurring location for such events since 2013. This year was no different, with club members booking rooms at local hotels, including the Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs, as observed by local sources.
Police spokesperson Lt. Gustavo Araiza confirmed that the Palm Springs Police Department made 23 arrests by Sunday afternoon. The arrests spanned a range of offenses, highlighting the issues often associated with such large biker club gatherings. Six arrests were for weapons violations, indicating potential concerns over illegal firearms. Five individuals were arrested for controlled substance violations, suggesting drug-related offenses. A significant number, ten, were arrested due to outstanding warrants, indicating pre-existing legal issues. The remaining arrests included one for parole violation and another for a post-release community supervision violation.
While the increased police presence effectively monitored the Mongols Biker Club members throughout the weekend, and most members had departed Palm Springs by Sunday afternoon, patrol staff remained vigilant to ensure public safety. The arrests underscore the ongoing scrutiny and law enforcement attention directed towards outlaw motorcycle gangs and their large-scale gatherings in public spaces.
