"Outlaws" Associated With Marion Chapter Arrested

OFF THE WIRE
"Outlaws" Associated With Marion Chapter Arrested
BY: Rachel Gartner
Source: wsiltv.com
Illinois - WILLIAMSON COUNTY-- The Outlaw motorcycle gang officially established a Marion chapter last weekend. On Thursday, police arrested two of its members on Macon County warrants. The pair were arrested for beating up two men in a Decatur night club back in April.
Police took Robert Garten and Gary McComb, both of Jackson County, into custody Thursday. Both men are currently out on bond.

News 3 sat down with Sheriff Bennie Vick to ask him what this activity means for the county.

Motorcycle gangs like "The Outlaws" or "Hell's Angels" are known for violence and criminal activity.

"They're a menace to society," says Vick very matter-of-factly.

In April, four "Outlaws" walked into a Decatur bar and beat up two men with a rival gang. Two of those Outlaws were identified and arrested after the incident; Thursday police arrested the remaining suspects...

"The warrants were issued in Macon County- they came down yesterday to serve the warrants," Vick explains.

Police took 35-year-old Robert Garten and Gary McComb, both of Murphysboro, into custody. Garten and McComb face mob action, aggravated batter and burglary charges. According to Williamson County Sheriff Bennie Vick, they're members of the newly established Marion chapter...

"They do have a clubhouse where they meet and they supposedly got their charter last weekend. We were expecting several of them in the area and there were."

Vick says, no arrests were made as the result of the "Outlaw" dedication event...

"They didn't do anything to break the law."

But on Sunday, a clash between two "Hell's Angles" and one "Outlaw" was caught on camera...

"It lasted about 15-20 seconds and it wasn't reported then. We got a report of it later, after it was over with, and after the people had already left the area."

Vick says, he is concerned about "The Outlaw" presence in the county, and law enforcers are working together to investigate the gang. But, their criminal activity comes as no surprise...

""The Outlaws" have caused problems for decades- they'll continue to cause problems."

Some are skeptical of Vick, like his opposition in the race for Williamson County Sheriff, Dennis Presley. Presley has been talking about the Outlaws since December and often criticizes Vick saying he hasn't done enough.

Vick says, there's no legal way you can prevent them from coming into the area. He says profiling or infringing on their civil rights can lead to lawsuits. Vick adds, he's not going to give out investigative details because you quote: "Don't give the other team your playbook."