’Cops and robbers’: Finks bikies descend on Jan Juc, police line streets

More than 100 members of an outlaw motorcycle gang took over a Surf Coast pub as police officers and vehicles lined the surrounding street in what locals and holidaymakers described as “surreal” and “initimidating” scenes.

More than 100 Finks bikies dropped in on a Surf Coast pub on Saturday.

More than 100 Finks bikies descended on a Surf Coast pub on Saturday and were met by a large police presence, as locals stumbled across what was looked like a “cops and robbers” style standoff.

It is understood the outlaw motorcycle gang from South Australia made a pit stop at the Jan Juc pub just after 1.30pm. The bikies were on their national run – a group ride across parts of Victoria from Friday to Sunday.

Beach Hotel employee Isaac said the Finks had made a booking for 120 people.

“They had the restaurant to themselves,” he said.

“They were all really respectful and gracious, and obviously want to be in the community’s good graces.

“We expected a police presence.”

Workers at the nearby Swell Cafe said police had been in the area from very early Saturday morning.

One cafe-goer, Geelong woman Fiona, said she had been out for a morning walk and had seen about six police cars and 10 police motorbikes but officers hadn’t responded to questions about why they were in the area.

About 1.40pm Fiona walked to her car in the carpark shared by the pub and cafe and roughly 100 motorcycles pulled up outside the Beach Hotel.

At the same time, she said, the police vehicles lined along Ocean Boulevard, facing the gang.

“The police motorbikes had been lined up in a perfect row,” she said.

“There was no altercation, but everyone seemed on really high alert.

“They were tense, it felt like a standoff.

“(The bikies) were just milling around but just the sheer volume of them was really intimidating.

“It was like an old fashion game of cops and robbers.”

Fiona said she’d been in shock and it felt like a scene from a movie.

“People in the Swell Cafe would’ve been terrified,” she said.

“The cafe was reasonably busy, with beachgoers and weekenders … you just don’t expected to see that in a coastal town on a summers days.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said they were aware members of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang would be taking part in their national run from Friday to Sunday.

“The run is expected to travel through metropolitan and coastal areas of Victoria including Cranbourne, Parkville and Jan Juc,” she said.

“Local police will be supported by the Echo and VIPER Taskforces, as well as specialist units to closely monitor the run to ensure the safety of all road users.

“There will be an increased police presence in the relevant areas.

“Police will be ready to take swift action in the event any outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members involved commit criminal, road safety or public order offences.”

The spokeswoman said Victoria Police would continue to work with other law enforcement agencies as part of a national approach to OMCG enforcement.

A worker from Swell Cafe, Eshe said the cafe staff had been alerted that the gang might come to the area, after the pub’s owners had told them they’d had a booking for more than 100 people.

“Cops were there from very early in the morning,” she said.

“We weren’t concerned, but it was surreal.”

On Friday, a senior Finks bikie was sentenced at the Victorian County Court after he was charged with blackmail, possession of methylamphetamine and receiving stolen goods.

Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au

Originally published as ’Cops and robbers’: Finks bikies descend on Jan Juc, police line streets