BATHURST detectives have joined forces with the elite police squad, Strike Force Raptor, and yesterday charged two members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club with allegedly threatening security staff at a Bathurst hotel.
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Chifley local area command crime manager Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said the two men were arrested and charged at Camden police station following an alleged altercation at The Oxford Hotel in the early hours of August 30.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the two men, aged 22 and 24, were asked to leave the hotel by security staff due to their level of intoxication.
An argument broke out between the security officer and the pair, who then left the area.
But police allege the pair returned a short time later in a Holden Commodore.
Detective Inspector Rankin said police allege the pair had put on their Rebels outlaw motorcycle clothing and returned armed with a baseball bat and a pair of knuckle dusters.
“Police allege they got out of the vehicle and brandished the weapons, before threatening the security staff,” he said.
Police attended but both men had left the area.
Detective Inspector Rankin said detectives attached to Chifley local area command worked with officers from Strike Force Raptor, a specialised elite police unit that proactively targets and disrupts outlaw motorcycle gang members, arresting both men early yesterday.
“On Wednesday morning, officers from Bathurst along with officers from Strike Force Raptor attended two homes in Narellan Vale, Sydney where they executed two search warrants,” he said.
At one address police arrested a 22-year-old man, where they alleged during a search warrant of his home they located an air rifle, clothing bearing the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang and a set of knuckle dusters.
Detective Inspector Rankin said the 24-year-old attended Camden police station voluntarily, with both men being charged with affray, assault and the possession of a prohibited weapon. The 24-year-old was also charged with traffic offences. Both men were bailed to appear before Bathurst Local Court on October 13.
Detective Inspector Rankin said during the investigation, police reviewed CCTV footage of the incident as well as postings on social media and also sought help from the community.
He said any alleged incidents of intimidation or violence would not be tolerated in the Chifley local area command, adding detectives will investigate any allegation with all resources available to them.
“There are consequences for this type of alleged behaviour,” he said.
