Customer Service e-Trib Login East Valley Tribune| Classifieds| Cars| Jobs| Real Estate

Digg| Save| License| Print| E-mail| Decrease text size Reset text size Increase text size

Double-click any word or phrase in the story to search this site.
July 29, 2008 - 4:40PM

Mesa police arrest man who says he's a skinhead

Katie McDevitt, Tribune

An alleged skinhead who police believe grabbed a shovel and threatened to kill a Hispanic woman was arrested Monday in Mesa and faces charges of aggravated assault, threatening and intimidating in the furtherance of a gang and participating in a criminal street gang, court records say.

According to court records, Kelley W. Peters, 37, of Mesa, is suspected of grabbing a shovel from his vehicle about 6:30 p.m. in the 400 block of W. Ivyglen, near Country Club Drive south of McKellips Road, and walking aggressively towards a group of Hispanic people who were sitting quietly under a tree mourning the loss of a loved one.

Peters then yelled that he wanted his step-daughter and raised a shovel saying he was a skinhead and would kill someone, court records say. Peters realized he was outnumbered and backed down from the confrontation. He was arrested nearby, court records say.

Court records said Peters told police he was looking for his step-daughter and said he was a skinhead and wanted to intimidate the group of Hispanic people. He also told Mesa police he pulled out a knife, court records say.

Police did not say why Peters approached the crowd for his step-daughter.

Peters told authorities he is a member of the gang Western Hammerskin, and that he began practicing in 1985 as a Bully Boy, according to court records.

Peters said he has multiple skinhead tatoos on his body, such as a swastika and a tattoo that reads “Hitler’s Warrior.” Peters said he follows the Asatru religion, which is the worship of Viking gods, a common practice in the Skinhead culture, according to court records.

Reader comments: This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.

Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news:

  • Stay on topic.
  • No personal attacks, racial slurs or insults; no vulgar, lewd or threatening comments.
  • Report abusive comments.
Already a member? Sign in here
Publish your stuff
Welcome, Please Log In
To login please enter your username and password in the form below and click on the login button.
Remember me
Retrieve Password
Resend Email
Enter the username and email address for your account to resend you your confirmation email: