Santa Clara Cop Accused Of Giving Hells Angels DMV Info
SANTA CLARA (BCN) - A Santa Clara police officer was arrested Thursday for allegedly providing a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club with confidential information from the Department of Motor Vehicles, police said.
Clay Rojas, 36, is a five-year veteran of the Police Department, according to officials.
He was arrested at about 9:30 a.m. on suspicion of providing 38-year-old William Bettencourt, of Santa Cruz County, with confidential DMV information about private parties, according to police.
Police said Rojas knew Bettencourt was a member of the Hells Angels, but their relationship and the motive for providing the information is still under investigation.
Investigators conducted an audit of the Santa Clara Police Department's computer system after Bettencourt was found to be in possession of the confidential information, police said.
The search allegedly uncovered Rojas as Bettencourt's source.
"This incident tarnishes the good name of our department and our profession, but at the end of the day, I believe this is an isolated incident of one employee," Santa Clara Police Chief Steve Lodge said in a statement.
Bettencourt reportedly provided the information to a third party, 31-year-old Vivian Rodriguez of San Jose, police said.
All three suspects were arrested for conspiracy, which is a felony.
