20 Arrested As Part Of Mongols Motorcycle Club Gathering In Cathedral City

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — Cathedral City police arrested 20 people on suspicion of various offenses in connection with a Mongols Motorcycle Club gathering over the weekend, authorities said Monday.

"When an event brings approximately 1,500 people into our community, it is our responsibility to plan appropriately and ensure we have the resources necessary to protect our residents, businesses, visitors and those attending the event," Cathedral City Police Chief Rick Sanchez said in a statement Monday. "The increased law enforcement presence was about preparedness and prevention. Our goal was not to create confrontation — it was to prevent it."

Police, in partnership with other local law enforcement agencies, conducted a "high-visibility enforcement operation" from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday throughout the region, according to the Cathedral City Police Department.

The department stated that assistance from additional law enforcement personnel was crucial to the operation as the department does not have sufficient staff to handle an event of that size.

The Mongols' meeting took place Friday through Sunday at Double Tree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs, 67967 Vista Chino.

The operation yielded 15 arrests on suspicion of narcotics violations, weapons violations, possession of stolen property and driving on suspended licenses and warrants on Friday. Additionally, officers recovered three handguns, and issued 42 citations, and five vehicles were stored and/or impounded.

The following day yielded five arrests on suspicion of weapons offenses, and three handguns were seized. Officers issued 35 citations and nine vehicles were stored and/or impounded.

The U.S. Department of Justice has identified the Mongols as an outlaw motorcycle gang.

"This is a documented outlaw motorcycle gang, and we are treating it that way," Sanchez said in a statement last week.

Other agencies that took part in the operation included the California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Desert Hot Springs Police Department, Palm Springs Police Department, Indio Police Department and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole Agents.

"We are very please with how this weekend concluded. A relatively quiet weekend involving an event of this size is exactly what we hoped to achieve," Sanchez added.

Anyone with additional information regarding the rally was asked to call the department at 760-770-0300, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.