Australasian Biker News
Police swoop on bikie run
Article from: Sunday Mail (SA)
November 01, 2008 11:40pm
POLICE kept a close eye on about 90 Hells Angels bikies yesterday as they made
their way south for their annual poker run.
The run, which took the bikers from Port Noarlunga to Victor Harbor, disrupted
traffic for most of the afternoon.
Dozens of police, including a team from the Crime Gangs Taskforce, followed the
run to manage traffic and monitor behaviour.
Roads were blocked, traffic stopped and light sequences were changed to allow
the group to make their way south safely.
Random drug and alcohol tests and vehicle inspections were conducted at
different locations during the run, a police spokeswoman said.
Bikes were checked one by one at 15 stations, with riders forced to show their
licences and have their motorbikes inspected.
A number of bikes were defected and there were seven arrests for offences
including unruly behaviour. Amateur photographer Jason Pine – who captured the
action for the Sunday Mail – was driving north along South Rd to a personal
engagement.
"I actually thought it was going to get ugly because there were a lot of cops –
probably one cop per person," he said of the congested scene he witnessed.
Mr Pine pulled his car over to take the photographs and spoke to a man claiming
to be a Hells Angels member who had not joined the run.
"There were actually bikies that were watching from the side and I actually
spoke to one of them and he said that they knew the cops were there and they had
done it anyway," he said.
"He told me he didn't want to go because he didn't want any trouble."
The annual event generally includes stops at five pubs, with players given a
card at each.
At the final stop each person presents their poker hand.