Written by
Jess Rollins
An international “turf war” between rival outlaw motorcycle clubs appears to have ties to Springfield.
As recently as last month, members of the notorious Hells Angels Motorcycle Club were in the city to support a Springfield chapter of an affiliated club, according to recently released Greene County court documents.
Those documents, a search warrant return filed early this month, give a rare glimpse into the affiliation, culture and penetration of outlaw motorcycle clubs in Springfield.
On June 2, a Springfield police officer conducted surveillance for eight hours as members of six motorcycle gangs gathered at a North West Bypass address.
Among the clubs represented at the advertised event, “Hellbound Boogie,” were the Galloping Goose Motorcycle Club, the Midwest Drifters and the Hells Angels, according to the documents.
Anonymous information led police to believe the Hells Angels club was in Springfield to “address problems” between the Galloping Goose and a rival group, the Vagos Motorcycle Club.
According to the documents, a “turf war” is being waged between the Vagos and Hell’s Angels at various locations throughout the world. That war “has involved numerous shootings resulting in injury and death by members of both gangs,” the documents say.
The Galloping Goose club, which affiliates with the Hells Angels, already had a chapter in Springfield when the Vagos club established itself in the city in 2010. Police acknowledge ongoing “tension” between the two local groups.
That tension escalated less than a year ago near Waynesville when members of the rival groups participated in a large fight, resulting in two gunshot victims, the documents say. However, none of the 20 or so people involved in the fight identified suspects or wanted to pursue charges.
“Many members of each of those clubs that were present for that incident reside in Springfield,” an officer wrote in the documents.
On June 19, Springfield police and fire officials responded to the same West Bypass address where club members were seen gathering two weeks earlier. A witness called 911 and reported hearing a loud explosion and a plume of smoke coming from the area.
A fire marshal believed the explosion involved an “improvised explosive device” or a homemade firework.
An officer noted in the documents that outlaw motorcycle clubs — including the Vagos and Hell’s Angels — have been known to use explosive devices in attacks against rival club members and law enforcement.
The next day, Springfield police returned with a search warrant believing they would find detonators, fuses and other bomb-making equipment, according to the documents.
Although substances believed to be marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as a shotgun, were found; nothing that could be used to create an explosive was noted in the search warrant return documents.
No charges have been filed against the man who was at the home when police arrived.
Questioned about recent activity, Police Chief Paul Williams would not say Friday whether he believed the tension between local motorcycle clubs was escalating.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs do have a presence in the city. We monitor the situation all the time and will continue to do so,” he said.
According to the recent documents, the term “outlaw” is used to describe these motorcycle clubs, although affiliation with the clubs is not, in itself, illegal.
These clubs, police say, are also known as “one-percenters.” The term grew out of an incident in Hollister, Calif., in 1947. After a riot broke out after a biker event there, the American Motorcycle Association reassured the public that 99 percent of motorcycle riders are “law abiding citizens.”
Some clubs, however, began referring to themselves as the “one percent” — indicating that they do not abide by the law. Springfield police say Galloping Goose club members, and others, sport the one-percent patches or “colors” on their vests.
An officer noted in the documents that outlaw motorcycle clubs — including the Vagos and Hell’s Angels — have been known to use explosive devices in attacks against rival club members and law enforcement.
The next day, Springfield police returned with a search warrant believing they would find detonators, fuses and other bomb-making equipment, according to the documents.
Although substances believed to be marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as a shotgun, were found; nothing that could be used to create an explosive was noted in the search warrant return documents.
No charges have been filed against the man who was at the home when police arrived.
Questioned about recent activity, Police Chief Paul Williams would not say Friday whether he believed the tension between local motorcycle clubs was escalating.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs do have a presence in the city. We monitor the situation all the time and will continue to do so,” he said.
According to the recent documents, the term “outlaw” is used to describe these motorcycle clubs, although affiliation with the clubs is not, in itself, illegal.
These clubs, police say, are also known as “one-percenters.” The term grew out of an incident in Hollister, Calif., in 1947. After a riot broke out after a biker event there, the American Motorcycle Association reassured the public that 99 percent of motorcycle riders are “law abiding citizens.”
Some clubs, however, began referring to themselves as the “one percent” — indicating that they do not abide by the law. Springfield police say Galloping Goose club members, and others, sport the one-percent patches or “colors” on their vests.