SickShooter News

May 9th, 2009 Regardless where a rider falls on the subject of organizations that are categorized as 'motorcycle gangs' by authorities or the popular media, it has been a busy week in the news for such groups. In Buffalo, New York what could be considered the largest number of arrests in many months occurred when authorities took into custody twenty members and associates of the Chosen Few Motorcycle Club. Accused of various crimes, including attacks against a rival biker club they were charged with felony racketeering conspiracy charges. According to acting U. S. Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter and FBI Special Agent Laurie J. Bennett, the men allegedly conspired to commit bombings, arsons, assaults and murders of their rivals.

Police feel motorcycle gangs are looking to young street gangs such as the Muslim Brotherhood Movement and the Parra Boys for members using "range of attractive ways" to recruit members which could include drugs and the "romantic misdemeanor" of being part of a bikie gang. The legislation is part of a crackdown following a brawl at Sydney airport in March between the Hells Angels and Comanchero gangs which resulted in one man's death. The authority to have a club or group declared a criminal organization was passed last month allowing police to petition Australia's Supreme Court to do so. None have been named or submitted to date and while police have no comment on the progress of the new process, politicians have told reporters authorities 'are well along the way to submit names for consideration'. The announcement of the pending legislation came as authorities raided 31 premises with links to the Hells Angels. The latest raids come on the heels of 69 arrests, resulting in 147 charges and seizing more than 30 weapons, large quantities of drugs and luxury vehicles including a Bentley. Reportedly, police also seized a car linked to the deadly brawl at Sydney Airport.