Another Member of Aryan Brotherhood Arrested

KTKA-TV 49 ABC News (Topeka, KS)/March 28, 2006

A man holds a couple hostage in New Mexico and then flees to Lubbock. That`s where police found yet another member of the Aryan Brotherhood gang.

Authorities have had several run-ins with members of the white supremacist group. The suspect involved in this most recent arrest recently decided to call Lubbock his new home. But U.S. Marshals had other plans.

Clifton Duane Bloomfield, 40, had been living in Lubbock for the past couple of months. He was arrested on outstanding warrants for home invasion, armed robbery, kidnapping and possession of a firearm of a convicted felon.

"I think that taking him off the streets might have saved someone in Lubbock," said Ronnie O`Neal, with the U.S. Marshal`s Office.

Last Wednesday evening, U.S. Marshals surrounded the mobile home where Bloomfield was living. Now he`s in jail.

Police say he came to Lubbock in early December shortly after he held a couple against their will and robbed them. The home invasion happened in Los Ranchos, New Mexico, near Albuquerque.

Investigators there gave U.S. Marshals information on Bloomfield`s whereabouts.

"We believe the home invasion may have stemmed from drugs," said O`Neal.

Bloomfield is just one of several members of the Aryan Brotherhood who have been arrested for violent crimes, including two shootings, an aggravated kidnapping, possession of drugs and guns, and several bank robberies.

"It is unusual to me how many cases there is involving the Aryan Brotherhood," said O`Neal, who also said this is the most trouble caused by the group that he`s seen in Lubbock during his 23-years with the U.S.

Marshals. He also says he`s not sure why the gang has moved to this area, but that they can expect severe punishments for their crimes.

Bloomfield is still in the Lubbock County Jail and is reportedly fighting extradition to New Mexico.