Thursday, August 12, 2010

Bikies arrested after robbery

OFF THE WIRE
18:02 AEST Wed Aug 11
Four alleged bikies have been arrested over a robbery at a Sydney tattoo parlour.

Officers raided homes in Cambridge Gardens, Kenthurst, Tregear, St Clair, and Wyoming on the central coast about 6am (AEST) on Wednesday.

Police allege all four are members of the outlaw motorcycle gang the Nomads.

Officers said they seized motorcycle club colours and clothing, about half a kilogram of amphetamine, a quantity of cocaine, a quantity of steroids, as well as a variety of weapons.

The arrests relate to investigations into the aggravated robbery at a tattoo parlour in Newtown, in Sydney's inner west, on July 29 this year.

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle and other items were stolen, allege police who form part of a special task force targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and their alleged associated criminal enterprises.

The same task force charged a 45-year-old man with drug offences following his arrest in a cocaine sting at a Newtown tattoo parlour in June.

Police have accused the man of being a former senior member of the Nomads. They allegedly uncovered drugs, including steroids, and weapons at the business on King Street.

During Wednesday's operation, a 32-year-old man was arrested at a home in Cambridge Gardens, a 32-year-old man at a home in Kenthurst, a 39-year-old man at a location in Smithfield, and a 25-year-old man at a townhouse in St Marys.

They are yet to be charged and remain at Penrith Police Station, police said.

Police later laid charges against the four men.

Three of them, aged 39 and two 32-year-olds, were each charged with robbery in company, and steal from person.

They were granted conditional bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on September 1.

A 25-year-old was charged with robbery in company, steal from person, possess prohibited weapon, and possess steroids.

He was been refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on August 12.