WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police say the recent collapse of the Hells Angels has created a toxic environment that has the city on the verge of a dangerous biker war.
"Tensions are extremely high . . . violence is imminent," a veteran Winnipeg police officer with extensive knowledge of the organized crime scene wrote last month in newly released court documents obtained Monday by the Winnipeg Free Press.
Police explain in detail why they believe the relative calm of the past few months is about to be broken — including evidence of gang members stockpiling weapons in preparation to take out their rival "by any means necessary." The document was used to obtain a search warrant for a home in the city's East Kildonan neighbourhood, where a loaded handgun was found hidden in a backyard last month.
Police say a pair of newly arrived gangs are at the centre of the brewing battle as they try to fill the "vacuum" created by a major undercover sting operation dubbed "Project DIVIDE" that ended last December. Police used a career criminal turned secret agent to infiltrate the Hells Angels, resulting in the arrests of 34 high-ranking members and associates.
Police say every member of the Zig Zag Crew — the Hells Angels so-called "puppet club" — was put behind bars while only a handful of Hells Angels remain free. With the demand for drugs as high as ever, the criminal underworld was thrown into turmoil.
Police say two major events occurred earlier this winter which have set the stage for an ugly spring.
"The Rock Machine has been attempting to establish a foothold in the province of Manitoba due to the arrests in DIVIDE. Members of the Rock Machine have been capitalizing on the fact the Hells Angels members and supporters are low in number and have been 'flying' their colours throughout the city of Winnipeg, enraging members of the Manitoba Hells Angels," police wrote in their court affidavit.
The Rock Machine have a long history with the Hells Angels in Quebec, especially during the 1990s when dozens of gang members were killed. But they are new to Winnipeg.
The Hells Angels responded quickly despite their diminished state, according to police.
Two long-time members of the gang assembled a new group in January to stand up to Rock Machine members trying to take over Winnipeg's drug scene. The "Redlined Support Crew" is comprised entirely of imposing young men who are free in the community and have previously shown their allegiance to the Hells Angels — at least informally.
The Redlined Crew made their first big impression in mid-January when they allegedly lured a Rock Machine member to an auto repair shop which has connections to the Hells Angels.
"He was attacked by several members of the Redlined Support Crew and suffered a vicious beating. Two members of the Hells Angels were also present," police wrote.
The victim was rushed to hospital in serious condition and required emergency surgery. He has not been co-operative with police and the case remains under investigation with no charges laid.
"As a result of this altercation, members of the Hells Angels, Redlined Support Crew and Rock Machine have all armed themselves as retribution is expected from both sides," police wrote. "There is imminent violence being planned . . . it is unknown at what time or place this violence could or would occur."
Police used the search warrant they were granted to raid a home on Feb. 3. Members of the heavily-armed Tactical Support Team found a loaded, 9-millimetre gun hidden under some snow in a "dog run" protected by a large, angry animal.
"The dog was going buck," a Winnipeg Crown attorney told court last Friday at a bail hearing for the homeowner, Justin MacLeod.
MacLeod — described by police as six foot three, 300 pounds — is allegedly one of the men recruited by the Hells Angels for the Redlined Support Crew. Police seized several items from inside his home, including a Redlined Winnipeg vest and toque, a gold ring with the gang's name on it, and a framed picture of the Hells Angels Manitoba chapter, taken in British Columbia last summer.
MacLeod was charged with numerous weapons offenses, along with his girlfriend and another man. He had also been free on bail from a November 2009 arrest for an alleged sexual assault and forcible confinement of a woman who police say was forced to strip naked and dance for several hours during a party.
Police also claim MacLeod was one of the Redlined Crew members who participated in the January attack on the Rock Machine member.
Defence lawyer Danny Gunn told court his client has no idea how the gun got on his property and denies ownership. He said the weapon could have been put there by anybody. A judge agreed to release MacLeod on bail, including a $15,000 surety and 11 p.m. nightly curfew, despite protests from the Crown.
"The Crown is concerned that when he gets out, these issues are going to resume between the Rock Machine," the prosecutor warned court Friday.
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