Hell's Angel Member Arrested on Hate Crime Charge in Santa Cruz

A suspected member of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang has been  arrested for battery and committing a hate crime following an attack on a man  in Santa Cruz on Saturday.

At around 2:30 a.m., officers responded to reports of a fight in  the 100 block of Walnut Drive, according to Santa Cruz police.

Police made contact with a man who said he had been called a  racial slur and punched in the face by another man, police said.

The suspect -- who was later identified as John Smith, 38, of Taft  -- got into his truck and left the area after the attack, police said.

Officers located him a few blocks away, lying in the back of his  truck. Smith and two other men allegedly had clothing and apparel indicating  membership in the Hell's Angels, police said.

In a search of the truck, officers located a loaded 9mm pistol and  a knife, police said.

Smith was arrested for battery, possession of a firearm and hate  crime.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact  Santa Cruz police at (831)420-5820.