Hells Angels arrested after ‘hostile takeover’ of Gladiator Hunter clubhouse
The Hells Angels bikie gang have been dealt a major blow after an explosive “hostile takeover’’ at a rival clubhouse triggered a months-long crackdown culminating in 12 arrests across Sydney.
The Hells Angels have been dealt a major blow after an explosive “hostile takeover’’ at a rival clubhouse triggered a months-long crackdown culminating in 12 arrests across Sydney.
Police launched Strike Force Benson earlier this year after it was revealed by The Daily Telegraph that Hells Angels members stormed the Gladiators’ clubhouse on the banks of the Hunter River at Horseshoe Bend.
In the aftermath, Raptor Squad issued 27 Public Safety Orders to various bikie gang members and more than 30 consorting warnings to Hells Angels members in an attempt to de-escalate tensions and block them from returning to the Hunter clubhouse.
But police allege those warnings were repeatedly ignored by the Hells Angels, with breaches detected across NSW, the ACT, South Australia and Victoria during national runs and the gang’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The alleged breaches triggered a major operation on Wednesday, with the Raptor squad, supported by the Operational Support Group and intelligence officers, executing 14 search warrants across Sydney and arresting 12 men.
In Pyrmont, officers arrested a 32-year-old and a 42-year-old man, both charged with habitually consorting with convicted offenders after receiving a warning.
A 34-year-old man was picked up in Wentworth Point and charged with consorting and driving while disqualified.
In Newtown, a 55-year-old man was arrested and charged with habitual consorting, while at Northmead a 49-year-old man faced the same charge.
A 57-year-old man was arrested in Emu Heights in the city’s west and charged with habitual consorting.
Also in the west, three men aged 29, 23 and 27 were taken into custody in Blacktown on consorting charges, while a 28-year-old man was charged after presenting at Burwood Police Station.
At Razorback, in the Macarthur region, police arrested a 33-year-old man who now faces habitual consorting allegations alongside two additional offences failing to comply with a digital evidence access order, and possessing a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order.
Another 33-year-old man was arrested in Ambarvale, in the city’s south west and charged with habitual consorting.
All 12 men were granted conditional bail and will appear in various local courts between December and February.
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