Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Lori Culbert

HELLS ANGEL, THREE OTHERS FACE CHARGES FOR ASSAULTS

A well-known Hells Angels gang member and three others are facing numerous 
charges after the operators of two marijuana grow operations were held 
captive, tortured and extorted out of money and property, Surrey RCMP say.

It was the second time in the past month that biker Juel Ross Stanton was 
arrested on similar charges.

In the most recent incident, Stanton, a 33-year-old Surrey resident and a 
member of the East End Chapter of the Hells Angels, is facing charges 
including robbery, forcible confinement, aggravated assault, assault with a 
weapon and issuing threats.

Three associates of the bike gang are facing similar charges. They are 
Stanton's brother, Norman Clay Stanton, 35, of New Westminster, Damon 
Bartolomeo, 22, of Coquitlam, and Richard Joseph Doucet, 28, of Surrey.

Over several months in late 2001, it is alleged that at least two male 
victims, both in their 30s, were held captive, beaten, tortured and 
extorted out of money and property.

Both men have connections to marijuana grow operations.

Surrey RCMP media liaison officer Constable Tim Shields would not release 
more specific information about the case.

Shields said it is common for people involved in the lucrative pot-growing 
business to target small-time marijuana growers in an effort to wipe out 
the competition.

Most of these crimes go unreported because the victims are afraid to 
contact police because they are involved in an illegal activity and because 
they are scared of retaliation, Shields said.

The victims in the most recent case, who suffered serious injuries, are not 
facing charges, he said.

The Surrey RCMP is appealing to any other victims of similar crimes to 
contact police.

The arrest of Stanton in last month's case stemmed from two men reporting 
an alleged extortion, assault and confinement in Pitt Meadows. The incident 
was alleged to be a payback for a "grow rip" -- the theft of a marijuana 
growing operation -- late last year in Coquitlam. One of the victims was 
allegedly beaten, threatened and extorted out of a motorcycle, car, and 
potentially his house and business, police say.

RCMP officers from Surrey, Langley, Ridge Meadows and Burnaby joined forces 
with Vancouver police in the investigation that led to the arrests in 
August. Police then appealed for more victims to come forward, and that led 
to this month's arrests.

The probe that led to charges in the extortion cases in August and 
September came as a result of information received while police were 
investigating a notorious crack house on 108th Avenue in Surrey, Shields said.
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