A suspected motorcycle gang member has been accused of beating a rival gang member with a crowbar outside a Belmont coffee shop earlier th...
A suspected motorcycle gang member has been accused of beating a rival gang member with a crowbar outside a Belmont coffee shop earlier this month. Orlando Jesus Rodriguez, 40, of San Mateo, pleaded not guilty on Monday to assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the March 6 attack, which occurred outside a Peets Coffee shop at 1200 El Camino Real, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. While he was in custody in county jail on unrelated charges, Rodriguez -- who prosecutors say is a known member of the "Wanted" motorcycle gang -- got into an argument with another inmate who is believed to have ties to the Hells Angels, Wagstaffe said. The two men were released from jail in early March, and Rodriguez apparently spotted the other man having coffee on the day of the attack, prosecutors said. Wagstaffe said Rodriguez got a crowbar and swung it at the victim in an attempt to hit him in the head. The victim blocked the blow by holding up his left arm, but the crowbar hit his arm and caused a severe break. Prosecutors allege that Rodriguez yelled, "Are you still claiming Hells Angels?" before walking to his car and driving away. He was arrested by Daly City police on March 15 and booked into county jail, where he is being held on $250,000 bail. In addition to the assault charge, Rodriguez has been charged with committing a felony while being a member of a gang. He is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on April 2.
