Former Hells Angels strongman Peter “Skitzo” Hewat and son caught up in police sting
Former Hells Angels heavyweight Peter “Skitzo” Hewat and his son Beau have been entangled in a national police operation against the gang.
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Former Hells Angels strongman Peter “Skitzo” Hewat and his son have been entangled in a national police operation against the gang.
Hewat, who is believed to have split from the club some months ago, was among nine people arrested in the Victorian arm of the Taskforce Morpheus joint operation.
The 69-year-old from Roxburgh Park was arrested last Friday and released without charge.
Hewat’s son Beau, 36, of Mickleham, was charged after being arrested by detectives from the Victoria Police Echo taskforce.
He faces counts of alleged motor vehicle theft, handling stolen goods and possession of a drug of dependence.
A truck and trailer were seized as part of that action.
Police say Beau Hewat, who was bailed to appear in court at a later date, is a Hells Angels prospect.
Peter Hewat is a former sergeant-at-arms for the HAMC’s East County chapter and regarded as one of the club’s most formidable figures since setting up in Melbourne in the 1970s.
He has also been involved in the heavy haulage industry for many years and was allegedly shot at in 2023 when he pursued a man who stole a rig from his Craigieburn yard.
It comes as police targeted the Hells Angels bikie gang in a national day of action with nine alleged offenders being charged in Victoria.
Operation Morpheus aimed to cause maximum disruption to the outlaw motorcycle gang with law enforcement agencies across Australia and New Zealand striking in a co-ordinated attack on Wednesday.
Officers allegedly seized firearms, other weapons, various drugs, illicit cigarettes and tobacco products and more than $48,000 in cash.
Nationally, 23 people were charged for 60 offences.
Taskforce Morpheus Chair Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly, from Victoria Police, said the day of action was “extremely successful”.
“National Taskforce Morpheus has been an extremely successful national and international operation co-ordinating multiple operations that have seen Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs) and their members disrupted, arrested, charged and held to account,” he said.
“Law enforcement and partner government agencies, through National Taskforce Morpheus, share the use of a variety of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs at a state, territory, national and international level. National Taskforce Morpheus will continue to be relentless in pursuing OMCGs and will not stop disrupting and holding OMCGs to account, no matter where they are located.
“OMCGs are motivated by profit and greed, they infiltrate communities, industry and businesses and have a negative impact on the communities. The social and economic impact of OMCGs in Australia and New Zealand is significant.”
He added: “OMCGs also have a culture of secrecy, that includes intimidation and propensity for extreme violence, often with public displays of violence that impacts the safety of the community. For these reasons law enforcement and partner government agencies will continue to target OMCGs.”
In Victoria nine offenders were charged with eight offences, one search warrant was executed, illegal drugs and ammunition allegedly found and $48,000 in cash allegedly seized.
The operation also targeted OMCG members who were already in prison and those suspected of family violence offences.
“The overrepresentation of OMCG members and associates linked with family and domestic violence perpetration is a significant community issue,” a police statement reads.
“As is violence and contraband within the prison systems.
“Operation Morpheus sends the message to members of OMCG members, “It doesn’t matter if you are at freedom or in custody you will be targeted for criminal related activity, be that personal or club-related business.
“Put simply it doesn’t pay to be a member of an OMCG or any criminal gang.”
Australian Border Force has also identified Hells Angels members and associates attempting to enter Australia recently.
Mr Kelly said “maximum destruction” was the intention of Wednesday’s day of action.
He said bail, parole and firearms prohibition checks were a major focus.
He said outlaw motorcycle gangs were “driven by greed and profit”.
Originally published as Former Hells Angels strongman Peter “Skitzo” Hewat and son caught up in police sting
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