By: Crime Correspondent
Rumours swirl around the future of the city’s 24-Hour Pawn Shop following a massive police raid on February 8th. Shop staff and alleged Vipers members were arrested and led away from the once-‘thriving‘ business. Since then, sidewalks where laughter and chaos would erupt now stand as empty as the shelves inside and silent but for the sound of cars passing by. (Charlie seems to have also parked outside the Clam now… so that kinda stabbing is over there – Ed)
It is said the raid stemmed from evidence collected by the police from a truck explosion at the fire station on February 1st. We’ve covered that in the Observer before where potential suspects ranged from the Bones, to HPD to other groups, but it seems per our sources in HPD that the Vipers crime family was dealing in illegal explosives from the back alley of the 24-Hour Pawn Shop. The group is (was?) most known for selling guns and drugs and doing anything necessary to further their profits or protect their business, including a recent attempted abduction of the head of the Hathian Police Department Inspector Krystal O’Neil. (For her ‘special’ photos see here and related articles, where actual abduction was achieved! -Ed)
The attempt prompted this fierce police response that saved the inspector from becoming another pawn in the Vipers’ chess game. Pawn Shop owner and known Vipers leader Brandie Kelly could not be found for comment.
Staffing Changes?
In recent months, Pawn Shop assistant manager Annika Jacmenkovich has seemingly undertaken a more active role in leading this criminal enterprise (Surely ‘legitimate business’ -Ed) and was reportedly named in the warrant. Sources claim she was also one of the masterminds behind the Vipers’ ruthless campaign against the Hathian Police Department this past Summer and Fall.
The relentless rash of ambushes, shootings, and abductions put the department on it’s back heels and behind barricades at the height of the violence. Jacmenkovich and fellow Viper Murphy Daugherty stole a police cruiser, wounding one officer and kidnapping the other with her own car. Daugherty seems to have risen to prominence in the organization, and Jacmenkovich recently took ownership of the Berthier Street Bakery. Some speculate these signal a passing of the torch from former leader Brandie Kelly, and perhaps some seismic shifts in the Vipers’ operations.
From Kogarashi to Vipers
The Vipers, even if they seem new, are not. Renamed from the Kogarashi gang last summer, they have a new name but are still known for their secrecy, loyalty, and ruthless pursuit of profits. More of a crime family than a street gang, the Vipers are no stranger to the HPD, who have raided their base of operations numerous times over the past years including twice since this summer. Each raid attempted to tighten the noose on their growing criminal enterprise but the Vipers remained, seemingly grew stronger and lured new recruits.
(This editor feels that while the Vipers may well have grown stronger, that in the order of running fast from, that presently the Rejects have laid claim to this crown. Soon the story of Jarrah shall be told… – Ed)
The Vipers, sometimes referred to by members as “the Family” have also had their clashes with other gangs in the city. Among these were social media feuds with Yuugen leader Tori Yamato who once ran the Kogarashi and large brawls and shootouts with the Rejects gang. The Vipers seem to keep their deals and allies closely guarded as the tendrils of their operations slither unseen through the city until they are ready to bare their fangs.
“They never caused us any trouble. In fact they kept the pawn shop workers safe from other gangs and criminals. The bonuses were pretty good, too” one employee at the 24-Hour Pawn, who asked to stay anonymous, said.
The End?
With increased police scrutiny on the organization and the 24-Hour Pawn Shop, it seems the back of the Vipers criminal organization has been broken with the HPD’s latest raid. Officers moved in swiftly with warrants for the arrest of principal members including Jacmenkovich and Daughtery and for seizure of evidence related to sale of explosives, firearms, drugs and potentially human organs. While police haven’t commented on the investigation, the evidence has been described as ‘damning’. (Tori still made bail for destroying HGH, so… wouldn’t think this is the last of the Pit) -Ed)
The Vipers have been an unwavering presence in Hathian, especially around the pawn shop, but with the organization unseated from their notorious den, will this signal their end? Other gangs seem to have swiftly moved in, tagging the area with their marks and some seen celebrating at the corner of Bourbon Street and Hathian Highway as if some kind of victory party.
“I am glad to see them go, they always made me feel scared to walk down the side walk,” said one person when asked about the absence of the gang.
Rosannah and Ash Rose-Nakayama, owners of the Slab, are known to have been Viper members and continue to run the butcher in the district. The pair have also been known to bring their own brand of trouble, but without the larger criminal organization, will they lose their teeth?
We can only hope this does signal the end of the reign of terror the Vipers have inflicted on the city. But the criminal organization has proved tenacious and resilient over the many years if its life. Only time will tell if they will slither from the ashes of a ruined empire to emerge again with fangs bared against those who stand in the way.
