Scores of bikies arrested as gang war looms
Mackenzie Ravn, Tanya Westthorp and Shaya Laughlin | September 28th, 2013
Police at the scene in Broadbeach where up to 20 Bandido bikies were allegedly involved in a violent brawl.
UPDATE: POLICE have pulled over a group of outlaw motorcycle gang members and supporters on the Pacific Motorway this afternoon.
Officers were notified of at least 12 people dressed in Highway 61 colours and supporter gear travelling northbound on the motorway at about 12.20pm.
Police pulled the group over near the Oxenford exit and it is believed the dog squad is also on it's way to assist. ( FACT: 2 people pulled over...no charges )
It is unknown whether any offences have been committed by the group.
It comes after New South Wales police warned that about 200 outlaw motorcycle gang members in full colours were on their way over the border shortly before 12.
It is unknown which outlaw motorcycle gang these riders belong to. ( terminally stupid reporting ?)
More information as it becomes available.
EARLIER: EIGHTEEN Bandido bikies were arrested and seven people were injured, including four police officers, during two terrifying confrontations on the Gold Coast last night that has police fearing more gang violence is to come.
Police crews from as far away as Brisbane and Logan were called in to reinforce Gold Coast officers when it was feared a massive bikie brawl was about to erupt in the middle of a bustling Broadbeach last night.
Witnesses said about 20 Bandido bikies, wearing their club colours, ``stormed into'' the Aura restaurant on Surf Parade at Broadbeach, about 8.30pm.
They reportedly told a fellow bikie who was in the popular boutique bar to go outside.
Witnesses said once out the front `bikies started throwing punches at each other’.
Terrified diners scattered, many heading to the safety of nearby streets to call Triple 0.
Witnesses say at least 10 police crews swooped on the brawl quickly and used Tasers to break it up, before blocking off the street – the main drag through Broadbeach’s entertainment precinct.
Six men were detained with four arrested during the violent public brawl.
Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway said a number of those involved in the disturbance were wearing ``matching vests''.
He said Surf Parade was closed for public safety.
But the violence didn’t end there.
Another witness said the gang members' Harley Davidson motorcycles were all parked behind nearby Federation Park.
``Most of them just thundered away, some of them in a black SUV were yelling, `Bandido, Bandido, Bandido' as they drove out of Broady,'' the witness said.
``It looked like one of their members left in the back of a detective's car.''
Soon after the Broadbeach incident, up to 50 Bandido bikies reportedly went to Southport Police Station on Scarborough Street in an apparent show of force to support their arrested gang members.
At least eight police crews rushed, using lights and sirens, to Southport where another altercation is alleged to have happened.
During the incident, three bikies were injured, requiring hospital treatment, and four police officers also suffered minor injuries but did not go to hospital.
A total of 18 people were charged with offences including public nuisance, assault, obstruct police, assault police, disorderly on licenced premises and an unrelated stealing matter.
It is believed most of the apprehended bikies were released with notices to appear in court at a later date.
Police have today stepped up their presence on the Gold Coast in fear of more looming bikie violence.
