OFF THE WIRE
Bikers arrested in lottery scheme
By Erica Bajer
A joint force effort targeting bikers has resulted in charges against three alleged members of the Red Devils Motorcycle Gang.
OPP said members of the provincial Biker Enforcement Unit, with the help of the Chatham-Kent Police Service and Windsor Police Service, investigated a report of an unauthorized lottery.
Seven search warrants were executed Wednesday in Chatham, Blenheim, Cedar Springs and Windsor, said Const. Aaron McPhail, of the Chatham-Kent OPP.
"The police services worked together on the arrests," he said.
He said the search warrants allegedly resulted in the seizure of evidence related to the unauthorized lottery, along with suspected marijuana, ecstasy, hydromorphone, nine-millimetre ammunition and a quantity of Canadian currency.
He refused to comment on the type of lottery.
"It would be inappropriate for me to comment as the matter is before the court," he said.
OPP said three alleged Red Devils members are charged along with a woman.
A 50-year-old Cedar Springs man is charged with participating in an unlawful lottery scheme, possession of property obtained by crime, three counts of drug possession and possession of ammunition while prohibited.
A 47-year-old Chatham man and 21-year-old Chatham man are charged with participating in an unlawful lottery scheme and possession of property obtained by crime.
OPP said a 51-year-old Cedar Springs woman was arrested in connection with the investigation and is charged with three counts of possession of drugs.
All four accused were released and are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham on Feb. 8.
Wednesday's busts come on the heels of a raid at the motorcycle gang's alleged clubhouse on Degge Street last month.
At that time police said a large amount of liquor was seized as evidence related to the alleged sale of liquor.
Det. Sgt. Len Isnor, of the OPP Biker Enforcement Unit, said there are two Red Devil clubs in Ontario — in Chatham and Hamilton.
"Red Devils are the oldest outlaw motorcycle gang in Canada," he said, noting the group started in 1940. "The Red Devils in Ontario are one percenters."
Isnor said the Chatham chapter has nine full-patch members and two hangers-on members.
He said nine full-patch members is a substantial club.
"One member of a one percenter motorcycle club is one too many," he said.
He said the Red Devils are the only one percenter gang in the municipality.
The Horsemen in Ridgetown are a puppet club of the Hells Angels and are not one percenters, he said.
"The Chatham-Kent Police Service and Biker Enforcement Unit work together to investigate these people," he said.
Isnor noted the unit is run by the OPP but is made up of officers from 18 different services in the province, including the CKPS.
