Category: Gangs in the news…

Police: Local man arrested after attacking victim over Hells Angels motorcycle stickers
By SHELBIE HARRIS, 5 days ago Idaho State Journal July 15

https://www.newsbreak.com/pocatello-id/3086584339085-police-local-man-arrested-after-attacking-victim-over-hells-angels-motorcycle-stickers
POCATELLO — A 37-year-old local man was arrested recently after police say he attacked a man in front of a business on Yellowstone Avenue in Pocatello.
Kaleb James Moir, of Pocatello, has been charged with felony aggravated battery after a Pocatello police officer witnessed the Friday incident, according to a police report the Idaho State Journal recently obtained .
A Pocatello police officer was driving north on the 200 block of Yellowstone Avenue around 8 p.m. Friday when he observed two men, one of whom was later identified as Moir, engaged in a physical disturbance outside a business, police said.
The officer saw Moir, who was listed in the police report as being 6 foot, 4 inches tall and weighing 275 pounds, standing over the other man, who is described as being 5 foot, 7 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, according to the report.
“Moir had a hand on (the victim’s) throat and was slamming the back of (his) head on the floor and was punching him in the face multiple times,” police wrote in the report.
The victim’s shirt was ripped, he had redness on his throat and multiple small lacerations and sces on both of his sides and back, according to the report.
Officers interviewed a person who witnessed the incident and were able to obtain a video that provided audio of the altercation, in which Moir can be heard yelling profanities and threatening the victim for having Hells Angels stickers on his motorcycle, police said.
Moir was subsequently charged, arrested and booked inside the Bannock County Jail in Pocatello.
Moir appeared in front of 6th District Judge David Hooste for an arraignment hearing Monday, during which his bond was set at $2,500 and a no-contact order was issued between him and the victim. Moir posted the bond on Monday and was released from jail that same day.
Prosecutors will attempt to prove there is enough evidence against Moir to elevate the case from the magistrate to district court level for trial during a preliminary hearing set for July 20.
If convicted of the felony aggravated battery charge, Moir faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Pocatello man apprehended by police while allegedly committing assault
Published at 3:33 pm, July 15, 2023 | Updated at 8:55 pm, July 15, 2023

Kalama Hines, EastIdahoNews.com
POCATELLO — A man has been charged after police say they stopped him from attacking another man.
Kaleb James Moir, 37, faces a felony charge for aggravated battery, court records show.
A Pocatello police officer was patrolling Yellowstone Avenue just after 8 p.m. July 7 when they saw two men engaged in a physical altercation, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
As the officer approached, they saw the larger of the two men, later identified as Moir, standing over a smaller man with his hands around the smaller man’s neck slamming the back of his head on the ground. Police reports show that Moir also punched the victim in the face several times.
The victim was able to get free from Moir’s grasp and ran into the parking lot to escape. The officer noted that Moir chased the victim. The officer was able to catch and detain Moir.
When speaking with the officer, the victim said the suspect had entered a shop and created a verbal disturbance, according to the affidavit. The victim said that he could not recall what happened next — the next thing he remembered was the officer arriving.
The victim’s neck was red, police reported. His t-shirt was ripped and he had cuts and scraped on both sides and his back. The victim was described as dizzy and struggling to use his phone.
Officers also noted in reports that the front window of the business where the altercation occurred was broken.
Moir was taken to Bannock County Jail. He posted a $2,500 bond Monday and was released.
Though Moir has been charged with this crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.
If he is found guilty, Moir could face up to 15 years in prison.
He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Todd Garbett on July 20.

Public not at risk after suspected biker clubhouse arson: police
Most displaced neighbours in Brockville have been cleared to return home
CBC News · Posted: Jul 12, 2023 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 12
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/brockville-cornwall-fire-fight-biker-gangs-outlaws-loners-1.6903570

Investigators dig through the rubble of a building on Perth Street in Brockville, Ont., July 11, 2023 that burnt down the previous day. Police suspect it may be arson. (Jean Delisle/CBC)
The OPP’s biker enforcement unit (BEU) says there’s no heightened risk to the public in light of the suspected arson at the Outlaws motorcycle gang’s Brockville clubhouse on Monday.
“When there’s conflict with outlaw motorcycle gangs, we hope that it’s restrained and we’ll take aggressive action to curtail it,” BEU head Det. Insp. Scott Wade said on CBC’s All in a Day Tuesday.
Wade had earlier said that gang violence always raises worries of escalation and the possibility that bystanders could be injured in the crossfire, though he said police have “a great plan in place” to stem the violence.
“I don’t want the public to be alarmed,” said Wade.
He did not expand on what the plan involved, citing the need to protect operational details.
As of Tuesday, police were still not publicly making any link between Monday’s fire and a weekend clash between the Outlaws and the Loners biker gangs that left three people injured in Cornwall.
Brockville police say there’s “absolutely” a possibility and the BEU is now participating in both investigations.
“We are aware … that there could be follow-up violence to either of these incidents,” Wade said. “We are hoping that calmer heads prevail.”
Clubs linked to motorcycle gangs growing ‘exponentially’
Wade explained that organized criminal motorcycle gangs have expanded in recent years and that’s not limited to Ontario.
He said the trend is driven by “support” or “associate” clubs that provide increased numbers, participate in criminal activities and act as a “layer of insulation” to protect higher level members.
Those support clubs have grown “exponentially,” he said.
The OPP issued a news release Tuesday warning that motorcycle gang members are known to carry weapons and engage in violence and advising the public not to approach them.
Wade said people should refrain from wearing any clothing that could show support for the gangs.
“Wearing that type of clothing could make you a target from a rival gang,” he said. “So I wouldn’t want an unsuspecting person to think a T-shirt looked cool, put it on and put themselves in danger.”
On Tuesday, investigators continued to comb through debris at the site of the burned-out clubhouse. According to Staff Sgt. Darryl Boyd of the Brockville Police Service, investigators have talked with members of the Outlaws.
“They were occupiers of the building, so we definitely had conversations with them, as the fire department has,” he said. “I mean, you can see members are sitting up the street here watching what’s going on.”
Boyd said the BEU brings resources, expertise and information sharing to the investigation.
“Cornwall and Brockville are handling these investigations exceedingly well,” said Wade. “We just, as the biker enforcement unit, provide assistance and help with expert intelligence, subject matter expertise and whatever other resources they may or may not need.”
Displaced neighbours cleared to return home
Residents displaced by the fire, which singed several nearby houses, were given the all clear to return home as of Tuesday.
One family remains displaced after their home was destroyed, according to Brockville Mayor Matt Wren. He called the damage estimate connected with the fire “a staggering number.”
“It’s really a miracle that we walk away from this with just building and property damage, that nobody was seriously injured and thankfully no loss of life, including our first responders, because this was a very dangerous fire,” Wren said.
“It’s a sad situation for this neighbourhood, but it will be put back together. It will.”
The OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit is helping Cornwall and Brockville police with those investigations
Brockville residents who spoke to CBC/Radio-Canada said the clubhouse never caused problems until the fire.
Eleanor Denny said the building had been “very quiet.” She hoped the fire was merely an accident rather than an escalation of gang violence.
Karen Vandine-Hollingsworth has been living across the street from the site for 24 years. She could see the emergency service lights flashing through her bedroom window as the fire burned.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, the place across the road is on fire,’” she recalls.
She had little bad to say about the Outlaws, though she admits she had a hint of worry that violence could break out.
“They were good neighbours. They did barbecues for the community. They tried to keep the noise down,” she said. “The only concern I had in the back of my mind was gang wars.”
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Ez4EFoTU4

Fire at motorcycle gang clubhouse damages ‘multiple residences’ in Brockville, Ont.
CTVNews Ottawa .Canada Staff July 10, 2023
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/fire-at-motorcycle-gang-clubhouse-damages-multiple-residences-in-brockville-ont-1.6473540
Several homes have been damaged or destroyed following an overnight fire at a motorcycle gang clubhouse in Brockville, Ont.
Emergency crews responded to reports of a large structure fire at 109 Perth Street, near the intersection of Perth and Brock streets, at approximately 2 a.m. Monday.
Brockville police say the fire spread to several other residences in the area.
“Many homes have been evacuated and residents are displaced,” police said in a statement.
“We were about three hours getting this under control,” interim Brockville fire chief Chris Paul told CTV News Ottawa. “We’re still putting out some hotspots as we speak prior to the investigation. There’s 17 different exposures, 12 houses. Another complete loss on the backside on John Street.”
Police confirm the fire was at the Outlaws clubhouse in Brockville.
Brockville Mayor Matt Wren says there are no reported injuries in the fire.
“The large structure on the south west corner of the intersection is a total loss as well as one adjacent residence and several other homes have suffered damage,” Wren said on Facebook.
“Right now, I’m told that most of the residents of the adjoining properties should hopefully be able to get back in their homes soon,” Wren told CTV News Ottawa. “One family or one resident has lost their home as a result of this and we want to make sure they’re getting all of our support and resources that they need.”
Residents say it was a dramatic scene.
“I came downstairs about 2:30, 3 o’clock and it was engulfed in flames. They had Prescott fire department here and trucks and half of Brockville I think was on the street,” said Karen Hollingsworth.
“There was explosions. It damaged all the houses along the side of the street here, melted all the siding. It was pretty chaotic,” added Brendan Chant.
–With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dave Charbonneau.

3 people sent to hospital after Cornwall shooting involving biker gangs: police
Witness describes scene of one group of motorcyclists beating another

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News · Posted: Jul 09, 2023

Three people were sent to hospital Saturday in what Cornwall police are calling a gang-involved shooting and what one eyewitness described as a terrifying attack pitting one group of bikers against another.
Cornwall Police Services spokesperson Stephanie MacRae said three people were injured but could not confirm the nature of their injuries. They are in hospital in stable condition.
“There was an altercation that occurred between motorcycle gangs,” she said. She did not name the gangs.
The shooting occurred in the area of Vincent Massey Drive and 14th Street W in Cornwall, according to police, who said officers responded at about 8:20 p.m.
MacRae said several people are in custody, though she would not say how many. The investigation remains ongoing.
“We can confirm that there’s no further risk to public safety,” she said, adding that it was an “isolated” incident between people who knew each other.
Barb Leggett, a commander with Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services, also said three people were transported to a hospital in Ottawa. She could not comment on their conditions.
An eye-witness, who CBC is not identifying to protect his safety, says he saw a serious altercation at the site before police arrived.
He described three or four motorbikers sitting near the Cora restaurant between about 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sometime after 8 p.m., a group of between eight and 12 other people arrived on motorbikes, he said, and immediately started beating the other four.
“There was a lot of blood,” he said.
Injured biker couldn’t get up: eyewitness
The man went to call 911 but noticed police were already arriving on the scene.
He said some of the motorbikers drove away. His view was partly obstructed by remaining motorbikes but he saw at least one person lying on the ground.
“He couldn’t stand up, so right away police came and start to give first aid,” he said.
He said he was unable to sleep after going home that night.
“This is scary,” he said. “This is something new from us … this is the first time I have seen something like this.”
Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale said the incident was shocking.
“We’re a safe community. We’re not used to seeing anything like this, and it certainly sends a shock through the entire community… People are worried, people are scared.”
Acting police chief Vincent Foy agreed that the incident was “alarming,” and rare for Cornwall.
“We have dedicated appropriate resources to actively investigate this incident and are working closely with our law enforcement partners,” he said in a statement.
Another man, who CBC is not naming to protect his safety, said he was nearby at the time of the shooting. He heard a sound like a gunshot, though he initially thought it was a bursting tire.
Police came within a minute or so.
“It was crazy,” he said. “I was kind of scared.”

Note: That the colors had ballistic panels

Accused member of Loners biker gang charged with drug trafficking

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/accused-member-of-loners-biker-gang-charged-with-drug-trafficking-1.6471477

Ted Raymond • CTV News Ottawa, Ontario, Canada July 7, 2023

An Ottawa man is facing drug trafficking charges connected to an infamous motorcycle club.
Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Friday that suspected cocaine, cash, and items “consistent with drug trafficking” were seized from a home in North Augusta, Ont., south of Ottawa, on Wednesday.
Eric St. Louis, 34, of Ottawa, and Jessica Rose, 31, of Augusta Township are jointly charged with possession of drugs for the purposes of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
None of the charges has been proven in court.
Police said among the items seized were two Loners Motorcycle Club vests, including one with ballistic panels, Loners MC jewelry, an unspecified vehicle, suspected cocaine and $11,000 in cash.
Police have identified St. Louis as a member of the Loners Motorcycle Club, an Ontario-based club that has chapters worldwide, including in eastern Ontario. Members have had previous run-ins with the law, including the seizure of guns, drugs, and club paraphernalia in Ottawa in 2022.
OPP said St. Louis was out on bail for previous weapons-related charges when he was arrested. He remains in custody with a court date to be determined. Rose is scheduled to appear in court in Brockville on Aug. 11, 2023.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article277149583.html

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/mug-shots-released-of-16-outcast-motorcycle-club-members-arrested-indicted

‘Outlaw’ biker gang charged after collaborative Ontario investigation
980 CFPL July 5, 2023
Project Derailleur, a collaboration between southwestern Ontario police services, resulted in the seizure of four firearms, four prohibited weapons, 550 suspected opioid pills, seven ounces of cocaine, and $11,000 cash.

Ben Harrietha/980 CFP London, Ontario, Canada
Twelve people are facing 52 charges after a collaborative drug trafficking investigation focused in southwestern Ontario.
The investigation, known as Project Derailleur, began late last year when Aylmer police discovered alleged Outlaw biker gang members trafficking drugs in the community.
Project Derailleur was led by the OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), Aylmer Police and London police. Members of the Strathroy-Caradoc police and St. Thomas police assisted as well.
According to a police statement, the investigation resulted in the seizure of four firearms, four prohibited weapons, 550 suspected opioid pills, seven ounces of cocaine, and $11,000 cash.
The BEU executed 11 search warrants at eight locations, including residences in the towns of Aylmer, St. Thomas and Strathroy.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs are growing at an exponential rate,” explained Insp.-Det. Scott Wade, head of the BEU at a press conference at London police headquarters. Items seized from the investigation were on display, including two sniper rifles and four club vests.
“From my experience with the BEU, (sniper rifles) are not a normal item that we see, there’s a very specific use for that gun,” Wade says. “I’d like to hope that our enforcement actions, community policing, and things we do to educate the public might slow the tide of guns in criminal hands, but that’s definitely something we have to be aware and cognizant of.”
“What we’re finding is that if there’s an area that has avoided street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, traditional organized crime, it’s quick to move into those woods.”
Wade also warned that larger gangs, such as the Outlaws or Hells Angels, tend to have smaller support gangs that have been expanding in recent years.
Alleged Outlaws members Kenneth Groves, 64, of Aylmer, Jeffrey Acal, 38, of Mount Brydges, probationary club member John Burwell, 57, of Fergus, and alleged Filthy 15 member Chris Donahue, 40, of Wardsville, were charged with drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Groves was also charged with five weapons-related offences.
Eight others, alleged to be associates of the Outlaws biker gang, are also facing various drug and gun charges.
The team behind the investigation was satisfied with the outcome but said there’s always more to do.
“We’re happy with the outcome, we’re happy with the collaboration. But it also causes us to be mindful that we can never rest on our laurels,” says LPS Det.-Insp. Chris Churney.
“We’ve always got to be looking at the next operation, the next investigation to continue to provide good public safety.”

Gang warfare: Army confirms 9 veterans arrested as members of Georgia motorcycle club
Alexandra Koch, Augusta Chronicle Augusta, Georgia July 5, 2023
The U.S. Army recently confirmed that almost a dozen U.S. military veterans were arrested for committing crimes while part of a violent Georgia motorcycle gang connected to a recent mass shooting in Augusta.
Sixteen members of the Outcast Motorcycle Club this month were indicted in Bryan County, near Savannah, on criminal charges to include domestic terrorism, assault and armed robbery. The U.S. Army Human Resources Command confirmed that nine of those indicted are former military.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives public information officer Nathan Banks said historically, many members of outlaw motorcycle gangs have former military affiliations.
While many may be wondering why decorated servicemen ever even get involved in a violent biker gang, Jose Ramirez, president of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association, said the groups are selective when picking new members and purposely seek out former military members because of ideology and loyalty.
Ramirez said one of the appeals to prospective members is the structure of the group. The Outcast Motorcycle Gang has a hierarchical structure and uses ranks, similar to the military.
There is also a brotherhood feel inside of the groups, which Ramirez said can be appealing to those who feel lost after serving overseas.
“A lot of motorcycle gangs will recruit individuals that have served in the military because they have engaged in war or conflict overseas,” he said. “They don’t know how to come back into society and relate to the norms, but what they can relate to is the structure and brotherhood that a motorcycle gang gives. They come back and commit domestic terroristic acts within their own country that they once vowed to protect.”