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Hells Angels’ rivals now living, operating in B.C.: anti-gang police

In addition to the presence of the Outlaws and Rebels, the re-established Satan’s Choice motorcycle club also opened chapters in B.C. over the last year
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By Kim Bolan Vancouver SunJul 28, 2026
https://vancouversun.com/news/crime/hells-angels-rivals-now-living-operating-in-bc-anti-gang-police

Members of both the Rebels and Outlaws motorcycle gangs have moved into B.C. — a province dominated for decades by the rival Hells Angels.
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit confirmed to Postmedia that some Outlaws have been living in B.C.

A Hungarian member of the biker gang was deported July 17. He had been arrested in Kelowna by CFSEU officers on June 30.

CFSEU Sgt. Sarbjit Sangha said she couldn’t comment specifically on the arrest and subsequent removal of the Outlaws member Szilard Kun, who had been sponsored in Canada by a romantic partner.

But speaking generally, Sangha said there are Outlaws gangsters living in B.C.

“While the Outlaws MC do not currently maintain a functioning chapter in British Columbia, members from Alberta-based Outlaws MC chapters are known to reside in B.C.,” Sangha said.

“The Outlaws MC and the Hells Angels have been rival organizations for decades and have been involved in violent conflict throughout Canada, including British Columbia, as well as in other countries where both organizations operate.”

Sources told Postmedia that Kun had been spotted by law enforcement in Alberta at events attended by both the Outlaws and Rebels motorcycle clubs. Like the Hells Angels, both the Outlaws and Rebels wear one per cent patches, which police say is an indication of their criminal conduct.

Sangha said the Rebels have now opened a chapter in B.C.

“Rebels MC has established chapters in Alberta and has expanded into British Columbia, including an active chapter in the southeast district,” she said. “Given the transnational nature of outlaw motorcycle gangs and their criminal networks, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit maintains dedicated outlaw motorcycle gang coordinators who work closely with municipal, provincial, federal, and international law enforcement partners.”

The Rebels started in Australia but has expanded globally. The Outlaws began in Illinois in 1935, making the group the oldest so-called one per cent club.

“The Hells Angels are also engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Rebels Motorcycle Club,” Sangha said.

Intelligence sharing between agencies about outlaw motorcycle gangs allows police to “monitor emerging trends, identify potential threats, and support co-ordinated enforcement efforts,” Sangha said.

In 2021, some Hells Angels and Rebels — both groups based in Alberta — got into a fight in Cranbrook after a chance encounter at a gas station. Five bikers showed up at the hospital with stab wounds.

In 2018, police announced there had been five violent clashes in New Brunswick between Hells Angels and Outlaws over an 18-month period. But they declined to provide details on the nature of the conflict.

Also in 2018, Crown prosecutors withdrew a counselling to commit murder that had been laid earlier against former London Outlaws president Ryan Daigneault for allegedly targeting a rival Hells Angel.

In addition to the presence of the Outlaws and Rebels, the re-established Satan’s Choice motorcycle club also opened chapters in B.C. over the last year.

Former Ontario Hells Angel and Satan’s Choice president Harley Guindon earlier told Postmedia that he was not looking for any trouble with his former club by bringing the Choice to B.C.

“We just want to have the motorcycle club in every province,” he said in November 2025.

The Hells Angels is still by far the largest outlaw motorcycle gang in the province with about 100 members in 10 chapters.

In March, it disbanded what had been its newest chapter, Hardside, which started in 2017 and operated from a rented house in Surrey that is now the subject of a civil forfeiture case.

Almost simultaneous to Hardside disbanding, a new chapter called West Side was established on Vancouver Island. It’s believed to have resulted from the Nanaimo Hells Angels splitting into two groups.

The Hells Angels in B.C. also maintain close ties to a number of so-called support or puppet clubs, who regularly attend Angels events.
kbolan@postmedia.com

Man arrested in Cadillac Ranch assault accused of throwing explosive into victim’s motorcycle shop days later

by: Lauren Drapeau WTNH July 24, 2026
https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/man-arrested-in-cadillac-ranch-assault-accused-of-throwing-explosive-into-victims-motorcycle-shop-days-later/

GRISWOLD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Derby man was arrested Thursday for allegedly throwing an explosive device through the window of a Griswold motorcycle shop days after he and the owner of the shop were involved in an assault at Cadillac Ranch in Southington, according to a warrant from state police.

State police said that Kevin Lawlor, 48, had allegedly thrown a homemade device through the window of a motorcycle shop at 8 p.m. on July 17.

Surveillance footage from inside the shop shows the device igniting and a person running away from the broken garage bay window. There was a bright explosion, and smoke and dust immediately filled the interior of the building, according to the warrant.

Neighbors described what the suspect was wearing to the police, and that two people were in a car driving away from the scene with a paper bag covering the license plate. The suspect was allegedly seen getting into the passenger’s side door after the incident
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According to the warrant, the device that was used is an M-class explosive device which is illegal in Connecticut. These types of devices are usually made out of a tube or cardboard and are filled with a flash powder.

The motorcycle shop owner had been involved in a fight with members of a motorcycle club in Southington on July 15, according to the arrest warrant. His gun was used to shoot a member of the motorcycle club during the fight, however police did not specify who shot the gun. The motorcycle shop owner then subsequently became the victim of an assault following the discharge of his gun, according to police.

As previously reported by News 8, detectives identified the Diablos Motorcycle Club as being involved in the Cadillac Ranch assault and shooting incident.

One person, allegedly in the Diablos Motorcycle Club, was shot in the chest when the assault occurred at Cadillac Ranch, and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The owner of the Griswold motorcycle shop was also found by police at the scene with apparent injuries.

An investigation found that the shop owner had gotten into an argument with one of the alleged members of the Diablos Motorcycle Club, which resulted in a fight that left the Diablos member shot, according to information from the arrest warrant. Members of the motorcycle club then allegedly assaulted the shop owner in retaliation for their member being shot, which resulted in their arrests.

Crime expert critical of CBRM mayor’s endorsement of local motorcycle club

RCMP, criminologist say Celtic Crew is a support club for Hells Angels

Tom Ayers · CBC News ·July 23, 2026
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cbrm-mayor-endorses-celtic-crew-motorcycle-club-9.7279746

A Celtic Crew Motorcycle Club member with a red diamond-shaped ’81’ patch is shown at a grading day event for schoolchildren in the Centre 200 parking lot in Sydney, N.S., last month. (Facebook)
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An expert on criminal organizations says the mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality made a serious misstep when he endorsed a local motorcycle club this month, because the group is associated with the Hells Angels.

Mayor Cecil Clarke said he didn’t know of the association when he wrote the July 6 letter on behalf of the Celtic Crew Motorcycle Club so it could lease property in CBRM, and only did so after asking the regional police force if it was OK.

“There was nothing at all that would create a concern,” Clarke said.

Stephen Schneider, a criminology professor at Saint Mary’s University and an expert on organized crime, said Cape Breton Regional Police should have checked the RCMP database, which shows the Celtic Crew is affiliated with the international outlaw motorcycle club.

He said the mayor’s letter was a mistake.

“Definitely, it was a significant faux pas on his part, because he’s essentially endorsing a motorcycle club that is a support club for one of the biggest criminal organizations in Canada, the Hells Angels,” said Schneider.

Clarke said Celtic Crew members are known for riding motorcycles and helping out in the community, such as the grading day event for schoolchildren at CBRM’s Centre 200 arena last month.

CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke says he did due diligence and checked with the Cape Breton Regional Police before writing a letter of support for the Celtic Crew Motorcycle Club.

“There was no reason not to be supportive of a group doing, you know, community engagement activities and not-for-profit support for community and youth and other initiatives,” he said.

A social media post that appears to be affiliated with the Hells Angels, and has since been taken down, praised the Celtic Crew for getting the letter from the mayor.

Clarke said he was not aware of that until CBC News asked about it.

Distinctive patch

Photos on social media show members of the Celtic Crew with a red diamond-shaped patch on their vests with the number 81 on it. That is considered a reference to the eighth and first letters of the alphabet — HA — representing the Hells Angels.
Clarke said the symbol is “beyond anything I’m aware of and/or have knowledge of.”

“I have no association, affiliation, communication or whatever with anyone outside of the people locally with the Celtic Crew I’ve been dealing with … and again, did the appropriate due diligence and research to identify that there were no local concerns,” he said.
No one from the Celtic Crew could be reached for comment.

Saint Mary’s University criminology professor Stephen Schneider says the letter was a mistake, because the Celtic Crew is affiliated with one of the largest criminal organizations in Canada.

Schneider said even if they didn’t check the RCMP’s criminal intelligence information system, regional police should have been aware of the red diamond “81” patch.

“That’s a clear signal,” he said.

No accusation of criminal activity

“I’m not accusing Celtic Crew at all of being involved in criminal activity, but certainly they’re a Hells Angels support club. That’s clear and they’re not hiding that,” Schneider continued.

Nova Scotia RCMP confirmed that connection.

Stephen MacKinnon, acting chief of the Cape Breton Regional Police, would not comment on what advice the police gave CBRM about the Celtic Crew Motorcycle Club.

But MacKinnon said until CBC News raised the question, he was unaware of the Celtic Crew’s affiliation with an outlaw motorcycle club.

Acting police chief Stephen MacKinnon says he was unaware of the Celtic Crew’s affiliation with an outlaw motorcycle club, but police are now taking a closer look and he has concerns.
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MacKinnon said around six years ago, he was part of a police operation that successfully kept a Hells Angels rival club out of Cape Breton.
At the time, police said it’s common for biker clubs to raise money for local community groups in order to gain favour with the public.

Schneider said that’s been a longstanding tactic.

CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke confirms he wrote this letter endorsing the Celtic Crew Motorcycle Club, which was requested in support of an application to lease property in the municipality. (Facebook)

“The Hells Angels and their support clubs have been doing charity work for decades,” he said. “It’s part of their PR campaign to try to sanitize their image.”

MacKinnon said police are taking a closer look at Celtic Crew’s affiliation, and he now has concerns.

“We know the associations to violence and drugs, those other things that we don’t want in [a] community,” he said.

Outlaws biker from Hungary deported after Kelowna arrest

In June, the Hungarian man was spotted by law enforcement a rally in Alberta attended by members of the Outlaws and Rebels motorcycle gangs.
By Kim Bolan Vancouver Sun. July 24, 2026
https://vancouversun.com/news/crime/outlaws-biker-from-hungary-deported-after-kelowna-bc-arrest

A Hungarian member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang has been deported after being arrested in Kelowna on June 29, Postmedia has learned.
The biker, identified by sources as Sziland Kun, had been sponsored to immigrate to Canada by a romantic partner and was living in the Okanagan city.

In late June, he participated in a rally in Alberta attended by members of the Outlaws and Rebels motorcycle gangs. That’s where law enforcement agents saw Kun, according to two police sources not authorized to speak on the case.

They informed B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, leading to Kun’s arrest after he left a Kelowna residence. He was detained and deemed ineligible to stay in Canada after an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing, and was removed July 17.

The Canada Border Services Agency declined to comment on the case, citing the Privacy Act.

CBSA media relations manager Guillaume Bérubé said that generally speaking the agency “has a legal obligation to remove all foreign nationals found to be inadmissible to Canada” with the highest priority given to “cases involving security, organized crime, crimes against humanity, and criminality.”

He said the CBSA “will initiate an investigation when it becomes aware of an individual who is believed to be inadmissible to Canada, which may result in an officer preparing a report citing the inadmissibility allegation.”

“The timely removal of inadmissible foreign nationals plays a critical role in supporting the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.”
Bérubé also referred Postmedia to the Immigration and Refugee Board for any publicly available information on the case. The board did not respond to several requests for comment.

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club is the oldest biker gang in the world, having started in Illinois in 1935, 13 years before its rival, the Hells Angels. It is considered the second-largest behind the HA, with chapters in 45 countries around the globe.

According to the Outlaws world website, there are 21 chapters in Canada with 13 of those in Ontario. The international site lists one B.C. chapter in Kelowna. The Canadian Outlaws site lists 24 Canadian chapters with none in B.C.

The Outlaws Hungary Facebook page shows several full-patch members attending a June 24 event with Canadian members of the Outlaws. One Canadian commenter said: “Was a great time meeting you guys!!!” with the Hungarian Outlaw responding “we hope to welcome you to Hungary next time!”

Like the Hells Angels, the Outlaws wear a “1%” patch on their vests. Law enforcement have said repeatedly that the patch is one indicator of the gangs’ criminal connections. But the bikers claim it just marks them as rebels.

“To say that 1%-ers are criminals or people of a lesser moral code than the rest of society is a tainted opinion,” the Outlaws international site says. “The Outlaws motorcycle club is not a criminal organization.”

The patch simply “explains our commitment to biking and brotherhood.”

Smoke bomb thrown at Connecticut motorcycle shop after alleged biker club assault, police say

By Bruno Matarazzo Jr.,Staff Writer New Haven Register July 20, 2026
https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/griswold-motorcycle-shop-owner-diablos-assault-22352467.php

GRISWOLD — The owner of a motorcycle shop who was assaulted by a group of alleged members of the Diablos Motorcycle Club at a bike event at Cadillac Ranch last week had a smoke bomb thrown at his business late Friday.

State police said the incident at the Plainfield Road business remains active and would not release any additional details.
There was no visible damage to Bully Baggerz and Son, and workers at the business declined to comment Monday.

The 44-year-old owner of the shop, who was injured July 15 in a beatdown in the Southington restaurant parking lot, told police he had his Glock taken from him during the attack, according to his statements to police.

During the struggle, the gun discharged and another member of the Diablos was struck, according to police reports.

The victim told police the fight began when he spotted Chris Sneider, a former customer who was not happy with the work done on his Harley-Davidson seven years ago and wanted a refund, according to the police report.

The victim went to Bike Night at Cadillac Ranch with his father to pick up parts from another customer but started to leave after spotting Sneider, he told police. Sneider ultimately saw him and demanded his refund.

A crowd of men started beating on the victim, some with a weapon that “felt like a hammer” as they tried to rip off his clothes and jewelry and the gun, according to the report.

Police recovered a gun from the scene, police Lt. Matthew Hammell said.

After the second victim, a 25-year-old man who was wearing a Diablos motorcycle club vest, was shot, others suspected, possibly mistakenly, the 44-year-old as the culprit.

It’s unclear from the police report who fired the gun during the struggle.

Four men have been charged with assault, including James McDermott, 52, of Waterbury; Gerard McAfee, 54, of Branford; Philip Gugliotti, 55, of Waterbury; and Harley Woodbury, 31, of the Terryville section of Plymouth.

Southington police said all four were identified in a video of the assault and all four were wearing Diablos motorcycle club vests. Each was charged with felony assault charges.

Four more were charged with interfering with police because they refused to identify themselves, police said.

No doubt’ affluent gang boss receiving dodgy cash – but judge clears him of million-dollar drug charges

Brett Kerr-Laurie| The Press July 16, 2026
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361007238/no-doubt-affluent-gang-boss-receiving-dodgy-cash-judge-clears-him-million-dollar-drug-charges

A judge is sure an affluent gang boss was receiving illegitimate funds, but it is not enough to prove he was involved in a multimillion-dollar drug syndicate.

Justice Rachel Dunningham found Comanchero Motorcycle Club national commander Vetekina Naufahu not guilty on 25 serious organised crime and drug supply charges at the High Court at Christchurch on Thursday.

It followed a two-week judge-alone trial commencing in mid-June, in which Crown prosecutors Abbie Hollingworth and Claire Boshier argued the gang and a national, multimillion-dollar drug enterprise were one and the same.

Police cracked the network in late August 2024 following a major operation, arresting the entire Christchurch Comanchero chapter and seizing millions of dollars of cash, jewellery and drugs.

Seventeen of the 21 people arrested have since been convicted, including the South Island commander, Christchurch treasurer, two young underlings, a pair of identical twins, a barber-turned-drug runner, and another drug transporter
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During the trial Hollingworth and Boshier alleged Naufahu and three Comanchero associates or nominees – Petelo Sili, Wiremukingi Matakatea and Richard John Dodd – were all involved in the criminal group, which flew more than 30kg of methamphetamine and cocaine from low-security North Island airports to Christchurch in 2024.

Naufahu was charged with being a party to 23 successful or attempted drug trips based on his senior position in the gang, direct dealings with the Christchurch chapter and his “inexplicable affluent lifestyle”.

But Justice Dunningham found Naufahu guilty only of possessing 6.6g of cocaine for supply at his lavishly furnished $1050 weekly rental in Orewa, Auckland, where he kept designer clothes, a champagne collection, five vehicles, and two cash counters.

The judge Justice Dunningham said there was “no doubt” Naufahu was receiving more than his legitimate income – a government benefit – but his spending patterns extended well before the alleged offending and before he became the gang’s national commander.

“While I am sure he was benefiting from funds which were not sourced legitimately … it does not assist me to conclude with certainty that Mr Naufahu both knew of and directed the drug dealing operation,” she said.

The judge found other actions that allegedly implicated Naufahu in the enterprise were too generic. This included visiting and disciplining the Christchurch chapter, which his lawyer Ron Mansfield, KC, argued was simply consistent with his seniority.

Naufahu is a founding member of the New Zealand Comancheros and the brother of its president, Pasilika Naufahu, who recently told a judge he planned to step away from the gang.

The trial heard expert evidence about the gang’s hierarchical nature, including that senior members insulated themselves from criminal offending conducted by junior members.

Mansfield specifically cautioned Justice Dunningham about giving too much weight to this evidence and argued the expert giving the evidence did not know exactly what Naufahu’s role entailed.

While the national commander largely escaped conviction, Sili, Matakatea and Dodd were all found guilty of participating in the organised criminal

Sili was further found guilty of possessing and offering to supply a Class A drug, while Dodd was found guilty of a singular and representative charge of supplying Class A drugs.

The defendants were scheduled for sentencing in October.
-The Press

Detroit man charged in connection with deadly shooting at motorcycle club
By Joseph Buczek
July 16, 2026 / 9:00 PM EDT / CBS Detroit

A Detroit man is charged in connection with a fatal shooting at a motorcycle club in March, prosecutors said.

Samuel Spencer Tipton Jr. was arraigned Wednesday on one count of first-degree murder, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and two counts of felony firearm in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Darrell Moore of Detroit.

On March 1, around 3 a.m., Wayne County prosecutors say Detroit police responded to a club in the 7100 block of Warren Avenue for a shooting. When police arrived, they found Moore inside the club, suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Moore later died at the scene.
Prosecutors allege Tipton approached Moore and fired a handgun before leaving the scene.

Titpton was later arrested by Detroit police on July 6.

Man ‘critical,’ 8 people arrested after shooting at Cadillac Ranch biker night in Southington

By Christine Dempsey, Peter Yankowski, Bruno Matarazzo Jr., Staff WritersJuly 16, 2026 .
https://www.ctinsider.com/recordjournal/article/southington-cadillac-ranch-shooting-biker-night-22347416.php

SOUTHINGTON — A man remains in critical condition after a shooting Wednesday evening at the Cadillac Ranch restaurant in Southington, and eight people also were arrested, police say.

A 44-year-old man also was injured, police Lt. Matthew Hammell said Thursday; both he and the 25-year-old who was shot are expected to survive.

Police recovered a gun from the scene, Hammell said.
A preliminary investigation shows the shooting happened after a fight broke out in the parking lot, he said, and “the altercation continued until officers arrived.”
Police were called to the business, which also is a banquet hall and bar, around 7 p.m. on a report of a shooting and found a man with a gunshot wound to the torso. He was taken to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition, Hammell said. Officers also found the second injured man, he said; he, too, was hospitalized and is listed in stable condition.

“Officers arrived to find a very congested crowd throughout the parking lot and inside the establishment, consisting of motorcycle enthusiasts as well as members of several motorcycle clubs,” Hammell said. “Investigators determined that four individuals acted together in assaulting a 44-year-old male during the incident,” he said.

The venue was hosting a charity bike night at the time of the shooting, according to an event listing on its website. Hammell said the “Bike Night” is a regular event at Cadillac Ranch, which sits next to Interstate 84. The events benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, according to the restaurant’s website; Yankee Harley-Davidson is listed as a sponsor.

Southington police said they activated their “Blue Plan,” which is a coordinated law enforcement response by nearby agencies, because of the number of people involved.

Four people are charged with second-degree assault, a felony: James McDermott, 52, of Waterbury; Gerard McAfee, 54, of Branford; Philip Gugliotti, 55, of Waterbury; and Harley Woodbury, 31, of the Terryville section of Plymouth.

The four were arraigned Thursday at state Superior Court in New Britain and a judge set their bonds at $50,000 cash or surety each.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Eamon Donovan asked that their bonds be set at $150,000 due to “serious safety concerns.”
“These are disturbing allegations,” Donovan said.

Each was told not to have any contact with the alleged victims and to stay away from the Cadillac Ranch.

Four others were charged with a less-serious crime, interfering with an officer. They are: Kevin Lawlor, 48, of Derby; William Schneiter, 60, of the Baltic section of Sprague; Marc Debenigno, 49, of Waterbury; and Zarif Ramadanov, 46, of Bethany.

Each was taken to the Bristol Police Department, where officers confirmed their names and released them on bonds. They are due in court July 29.
It’s not clear whether police arrested the person they believe shot the 25-year-old.

The street outside Cadillac Ranch was clogged with emergency vehicles after the shooting, and crowds of people had gathered in the bar’s large parking lot, part of which was cordoned off with crime scene tape, WFSB video shows.

At least one person at the scene wore a vest that read, “Ruthless 4 Life Connecticut MC,” which, in 2022, state police referred to as a motorcycle gang. Meanwhile, two of the four men charged with interfering wore vests that indicated they are members of the Diablos Motorcycle Club.

Some motorcycles remained at the scene early Thursday, and red Solo cups littered the lot, the station reported.

Connecticut State Police were among agencies at the scene, and are assisting with the investigation, Southington police said. Local police said they would like to thank the troopers and police from Bristol, Plainville, Farmington, New Britain, and Berlin “for their rapid response and assistance in providing mutual aid during this incident.” Hammell said. “Their professionalism and support were instrumental in helping officers quickly secure the scene and safely manage a large and dynamic incident.”

The investigation remains active, he said.

Anyone who witnessed the fight, has video footage, or information that may help investigators is asked to call a detective at 860-378-1642 or 860-378 1646. Those wishing to remain anonymous may do so.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Billings Fire Department investigating possible arson at motorcycle club

https://www.ktvq.com/news/billings-fire-department-investigating-possible-arson-at-motorcycle-club
By: MTN News
Posted 9:13 PM, Jul 12, 2026

BILLINGS — The Billings Fire Department and Billings Police Department are investigating an early Sunday morning fire at the Galloping Goose Clubhouse on North 34th Street as a possible act of arson.

The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. on the outside of the building. Flames began on pallets on the west side of the building before spreading to the exterior and the roof.

No interior damage was found and no one was injured.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Hells Angels, other outlaw motorcycle clubs expected for ‘Canada-wide’ gathering in Windsor: police

By Pascal Hogue Windsor Star July 14, 2026
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/hells-angels-other-outlaw-motorcycle-clubs-expected-for-canada-wide-gathering-in-windsor-police

Members of the Hell’s Angels and their associates are seen outside a gathering by the biker organization in Amherstburg on July 16th, 2011.

Windsor police are advising the public of a planned “Canada-wide get-together” of outlaw motorcycle gang members and associates in Windsor-Essex this week, but note there is no current concern for public safety.

The event scheduled for July 16 to July 19 is expected to attract more than 750 people linked to the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle gangs from across Ontario and Canada, police said.

The community can expect an increased police presence during this time as officers monitor activities and respond to public safety concerns, Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley told reporters Monday.

“Right now, there’s no public safety concern,” Crowley said. “There’s no intelligence that there’s going to be any issues. And typically, the members of these groups, they keep to themselves and they really don’t want any trouble either.”

The Windsor Police Service is partnering with the Ontario Provincial Police and the OPP-led Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU) to monitor the event. Crowley said residents can expect some additional traffic and hold ups over the four-day period, as well as an increased presence of motorcycle members.

Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley speaks to reporters at Windsor Police Headquarters in downtown Windsor on Monday, July 13, 2026.

After an initial media release on Monday morning by Windsor police drew strong reactions on social media, Windsor police shared a follow-up media release to clarify that the gathering is not associated with charitable organizations such as Hogs for Hospice, which is scheduled to have its own gathering from July 31 to August 2

“The gathering that police will monitor involves members and associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and other affiliated groups,” police said.

“The Hells Angels have been long recognized as a criminal organization by the Supreme Court of Canada,” police said. “This designation is based on evidence presented in criminal cases involving the organization.”

Police said it “respects the many law-abiding motorcycle enthusiasts and community organizations that host legitimate events throughout Windsor and Essex County.”

“Our focus remains on public safety and addressing criminal activity wherever it occurs,” police said.

Crowley said the gathering of outlaw motorcycle members will likely be one of the biggest ever organized in Windsor.

Crowley said that while some outlaw groups have historical links to organized crime, gatherings of members – as is expected across Windsor – is not illegal.

“We let them gather, we let them go to restaurants,” Crowley said. “There’s no authority to stop that. The businesses wouldn’t want that. They’re paying customers just like everybody else.”

Police are encouraging drivers to plan ahead, use caution, and follow posted signage and directions from officers.

Anyone who witnesses suspicious, dangerous, or criminal activity is asked to contact the Windsor Police Service’s non-emergency line at 519-258-6111. In an emergency, call 911.