OFF THE WIRE
A gang member released on electronic bail has ripped the monitoring device from his leg and gone on the run.
Bernard Simon Monk, 32, is wanted for breaching electronic bail while facing a charge of possession of methamphetamine for supply.
Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said officers had been searching for Monk since he fled from a Whangarei house on February 12, after an electronic device was removed.
Monk, a Rebels motorcycle gang member, is described as Caucasian, 1.8m tall and of medium to solid build.
When the gang moved into a building in Porowini Ave in April last year, Monk acted as the gang spokesman.
Preferring to be called "Guru", he told the Northern Advocate the club "wanted to cement itself in the community and have a positive impact".
He said police claims the gang had Australian links and were known for manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine was propaganda and their club had a "no-drugs policy".
At the time, Monk said: "Police have gone overboard, talking about drugs and crime when they have nothing to substantiate it.
"We are here to make friends with the community and that won't happen by dealing drugs. It's not a gang.
"We are motorcycle enthusiasts and we don't have any involvement in meth."
The gang have since moved out of the Porowini Ave building.
Police believe Monk has contacts in Whangarei and Auckland.
