Chain of Evidence: 2A True Story of Law Enforcement and One Woman's Bravery
Readers are expected to take on faith that events related here happened as the pseudonymous author reports; that the dialogue is accurate, even though spoken almost two decades ago; that the anonymous police officers were as brave as depicted. But no matter, for in the large play of history this yarn of an undercover action infiltrating biker groups in Orange County, Calif., is hardly of consequence. Detroit's re-creation, which reads shamelessly like a script for the film that is to be made, is strictly box-office. According to the author, this 1977 cop caper led to the largest series of arrests ever made in California, with 77 bikers imprisoned for drug dealing, theft, arson, prostitution and murder. The romanticized stars of Operation Hog are police officers Wayne Carlander, gruff and shrewd; Victoria Seele, classy and glamorous; and biker Clifford Mowery, a handsome thug who proves to have a conscience. The reason for the anonymity? The Hell's Angels of the day posted a $25,000 reward each for the killings of the two cops (whom Detroit interviewed) and the turncoat biker, who died in a motorcycle accident shortly after the trials. Photos not seen by PW . Film rights to Michael Dealey.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.