OFF THE WIRE
AUSTRALIA’S largest outlaw motorcycle club has set up a clubhouse in Croydon.
The Rebels Motorcycle Club has moved into premises in a mainly industrial part of Windsor Rd within walking distance of Croydon’s Main St.
The bikie gxxg has already made its presence felt in the community, holding a “poker run” with about 60 motorcyclists riding from Croydon to Healesville and back again on January 21.
Local police and members of the bikie taskforce Echo attended the run, which went ahead without incident.
Maroondah CIU detective Sen-Sgt Steve Tragardh said the motorcyclists obeyed all road laws and there were no issues.
“We were very happy with the way it was run and we don’t expect any problems from them,” Sen-Sgt Tragardh said.
Traders and residents in the block surrounding the clubhouse agreed there had been no trouble.
One man commented that the bikies “stick to themselves”, while another said he liked the “extra security”.
Locals have noticed loud motorcycle noise and music coming from the clubhouse during late-night parties at weekends.
The Rebels’ eastern chapter set up in the suburb late last year and the clubhouse is marked by its distinctive Confederate flags with a cap-wearing skull and “1%” patch in the centre.
There are about 70 chapters and 2000 members nationwide, making the Rebels the biggest bikie gxxg in the country.
A Rebels member was jailed last year after being found guilty of murdering a bikie from a rival gxxg in Geelong.
United Motorcycle Council spokesman Russell “Camel” Wattie said people shouldn’t see any change in the area except for more motorcycles.
“Most places where a new clubhouse sets up, you find the crime rate in the area actually goes down,” Mr Wattie said.
The Rebels declined to comment.
http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cruising-into-croydon-town/