Police have charged 18 patched members of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) after an incident in Perth’s southern suburbs on Friday evening that led to a section of the Kwinana Freeway being blocked.
It began about 5.25pm when police were notified that a large group of riders had congregated at a petrol station on Safety Bay Road.Â
A police statement said “significant” resources were sent to the scene, as well as Police Air Wing.
They had spotted the group allegedly riding recklessly, in convoy, north on the Kwinana Freeway.
Police Air Wing vision shows the group riding along the Kwinana Freeway. (Supplied: WA Police)
Officers activated lights and sirens, but they allege the riders failed to stop and continued travelling at excessive speed.
Police say two of the riders then blocked their vehicles, with the rest of the group riding on.
However, officers stopped traffic on the freeway near Millar Road in Baldivis.
It forced the group to a halt, causing significant traffic congestion on the freeway.
The incident caused traffic congestion on the Kwinana Freeway. (Supplied: Main Roads WA)
Eighteen men, aged between 26 and 56, were arrested and had their motorcycles seized.
Gang Crime Squad detectives have charged all 18 with reckless driving to escape pursuit by police, and failing to comply with a direction to stop.
Two of the men, aged 41 and 44, have also been charged with obstructing public officers.
The men are due to appear in court between January 28 and February 9.
‘Internal conflict’
Detective Senior Sergeant Todd White of the Gang Crime Squad alleged Police Air Wing had clocked some riders hitting speeds of 150 km/h during the incident.
Sergeant White thanked members of the community for stopping on the freeway during the incident.
“We will continue to use the full suite of powers to disrupt and restrict the illicit activities of outlaw motorcycle gang members,” he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Todd White says the investigation into the incident is still ongoing. (ABC News)
He said it was the most significant arrest of bikies in WA “in recent memory”, and that some of those charged were senior members of the gang.
“Intelligence indicates there is already internal conflict and tensions within the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang in Australia,” he said.
“These arrests will further the destabilisation of this identified organisation’s activities within this state.”
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