5 charged after Hells Angels members rob vests of rival gang members in Cambridge: OPP

A brazen daytime robbery in which members of the Hells Angels stole vests from members of a rival motorcycle gang in downtown Cambridge, Ontario, has led to charges against five people.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said four people were arrested. One fifth was released.

“This is when two rival gangs meet during the day in a public place with members of the public, families and children around and commit a violent robbery,” said Det. Superintendent Scott Wade told CBC News. “These are not motorcycle enthusiasts, these are criminal members of motorcycle gangs.”

Wade said the robbery took place at 1 p.m. on Sept. 21. He said the OPP worked with the Waterloo Regional Police Service during the investigation and they executed four search warrants.

The following items were seized during the search warrants:

• 17 firearms.

• A banned tool called a “retrieval whip”, which is a whip with a weight at the end.

• Ammunition and magazines.

• Multiple mobile phones.

• Two possession and purchase licenses (weapons licences) by two Hells Angels members.

• Three Expendables vests.

• Some “unknown pill”.

• Stolen property.

Police said five people are facing 14 charges. The five people charged are:

• A 34-year-old Seaforth man is facing five charges including robbery, possession of property obtained by crime, theft under $5,000, contravening storage regulations and possession of a weapon without a permit.

• A 39-year-old Kitchener man is facing three charges including robbery and possession of property obtained by crime.

• A 38-year-old Cambridge man is facing three charges including robbery, possession of property obtained by crime and theft under $5,000.

• A 36-year-old man from Whitby has been charged with two charges including robbery and disguise with intent.

• The man who remains at large is a 29-year-old Northumberland County resident who is facing a robbery charge.

Wade said the initial robbery that sparked the investigation was “extremely concerning” because of the violence that took place in a public setting.

He said motorcycle gang activity remained “very common” across the state, but added there was a big difference between motorcycle enthusiasts and those involved in organized crime.

“Harley (Davidson) owner groups, people getting together on Sundays and riding their Harleys, it’s completely legal,” he said. “We don’t want to paint everyone with one brush.”

Those involved in criminal gangs range from “Thunder Bay to Ottawa and from Ottawa to Windsor,” he said.

“Their numbers are increasing,” he said, adding that police departments across the state are also working together to combat criminal activity.

“We investigate outlaw motorcycle gangs and are constantly working, collaborating, sharing and improving our investigative tactics.”