Strike Force Bench arrests four alleged ‘Loyal Crims’ members
A massive police investigation has led to the arrest of four people in raids involving detectives from the North Coast and the State Crime Command. See inside the large-scale investigation:
Police & Courts
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A Northern Rivers gang has allegedly been thwarted by a major police operation, resulting in four arrests and more expected.
In September, detectives from Richmond and Tweed Byron Police Districts – with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Raptor Squad – formed Strike Force Bench to investigate several alleged violent crimes occurring in Northern NSW.
Police will allege this included serious assaults, drug supply and possession, firearm supply and use, armed robbery and vehicle theft.
Following extensive investigations, several ongoing cases from both the Richmond and Tweed Byron Police Districts merged under the same strike force banner to investigate an alleged criminal group known as “Loyal Crims” or “LC”.
The gang is known for flaunting their affiliation with apparel and is conducted in a hierarchy similar to outlaw motorcycle gangs, said Detective Inspector Grant Erickson.
The arrests
During the course of the joint investigation, five people have been arrested and charged with matters currently before the courts.
These include:
– A 47-year-old man who was convicted after he pursued two men in a vehicle southbound on the M1 Motorway at Ewingsdale, near Byron Bay, in August 2021.
He threatened the other driver with an axe and ramming his car several times.
The South Grafton man pleaded guilty to predatory driving, and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence among other offences; he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 months.
– Two men, aged 29 and 31, and a 27-year-old woman were charged following a home invasion in Byron Bay in August 2021.
Police allege the two men attended a Butler Street home where they detained and assaulted a 37-year-old man, before stealing several bank cards and property.
The woman was also present at the home, with police alleging she co-ordinated the offence prior.
All three are currently bail refused to reappear at Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday, February 18.
– A 24-year-old man was arrested at a service station in West Ballina in October 2021.
Police will allege they seized cash and ammunition from his vehicle.
They will allege detectives later seized knuckle dusters, mobile phones and other property during a search warrant at his East Ballina home.
He has been charged with acquiring a firearm without a licence, dealing with property proceeds of crime, possessing ammunition without holding a licence and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.
He remains bail refused, next due to appear at Ballina Local Court on Tuesday, December 14.
The raids
On Thursday, strike force officers executed four search warrants across Goonellabah, Ballina, Pimlico and Cumbalum and arrested a further four people.
A 35-year old man was arrested on Crown Street, Lismore, and has been charged with robbery in company, aggravated robbery in company, damage property by fire, possessing a prohibited drug, supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm, using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and participating in a criminal group.
A second 35-year-old man was arrested at a Goonellabah address and was charged with robbery in company, aggravated robbery in company, damaging property by fire, participating in a criminal group, drug supply and possession.
A 29-year-old woman was also arrested at a Goonellabah address and was charged with robbery in company, aggravated robbery in company, damaging property by fire, participating in a criminal group, drug supply and possession.
Police will allege all three were involved in an alleged carjacking, assault and car fire in West Ballina on October 30.
The 50-year-old man was arrested at a Ballina address and has been charged with drug and weapons offences.
During these raids, police will allege they located and seized weapons, methylamphetamine, mobile phones and property believed to be stolen.
All four will be refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court on Friday, December 3.
The mission
Set Insp Erickson said Thursday’s operation involved 60 officers and was a “sensational” effort.
“It went like clockwork today,” he said.
“There was a lot of police involved, a lot of risk involved.
“I will use any resources available to me, whether from Sydney or not, to come up here and negate these criminal groups operating in this area and putting our community at risk.”
He said police believed the group was dangerous for its “unpredictable” nature.
“This group has been lingering around for a couple of years but of late they’ve become more violent...which is obviously a concern for us,” he said.
“We’ve taken players out today that are involved in this type of activity and will continue to move on and take out people who want to pop their head up.”
More arrests anticipated
Set Insp Erickson appealed with the community for information about a September 23 shooting in Mooball.
He said that incident was believed to be linked to the gang.
Just after 4.15am, police were called to Tweed Valley Way at Mooball following reports the driver of a small sedan discharged a firearm in the direction of a truck before leaving the area.
Strike force detectives have released CCTV footage of a vehicle they wish to locate as part of their inquiries.
The Holden Astra has different coloured panels on the passenger side.
Anyone who may have seen this vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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