Police, who had not released the latest accused’s name as of
Wednesday afternoon, held him in custody pending a bail hearing on the same
charges laid on the three earlier accused, including kidnapping and assault
with a weapon.
Confiscated items from the motorcycle club raids in Brockville, Canada
The latest arrest relates to two search warrants carried out
on Dec. 6 by the Brockville Police Service, with the help of the Ontario
Provincial Police Biker Enforcement Unit, the Belleville Police Service and
Kingston Police Service.
The Joint Forces Team raided two Brockville residences, at
283 Park Street and Apartment 17 at 16 Cartier Court, in relation to the
Outlaws Motorcycle Club and an Outlaws support club, the Dead Eyes Motorcycle
Club.
During those raids, officers seized a number of items,
including Dead Eyes Outlaw Motorcycle Club vests, clothing and related
paraphernalia; documents supporting involvement in a criminal organization; a
small quantity of cocaine; cellphones; clothing “worn during commission of
offences”; and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Thomas Bell, Norman Cranshaw Rosbottom and his son, Norman
Stanley Rosbottom, were charged in connection with crimes that began in March,
police noted. The charges include kidnapping, robbery, assault with a weapon,
assault, and two separate offences relating to organized crime groups, said
police.
City police say they have been aware of the Outlaws MC in the
area for nearly two years, but there has been a “drastic increase” in their
activity over the past summer. The twin raids Dec. 6 were the city police force’s second motorcycle club operation this fall.
In September, police arrested two people in connection with
drug and weapons offences with motorcycle club links following a raid at 21
Sevenoaks Avenue in Brockville. Four other people were initially sought after that raid, one
of whom later turned himself in in Kingston. Two of the remaining suspects
turned themselves in to Brockville police, while the other also did so in
Kingston.
Police Chief Scott Fraser said Wednesday he does not believe
any further arrests are pending in connection with the December operation. While such arrests might put a dent in criminal
organizations, it would be naive to expect the gang activity to stop, added the
chief.
“As long as they keep committing criminal offences, we’ll
keep arresting them and locking them up, or at least charging them,” said
Fraser.
Police said earlier this month the club activity does not
usually put at risk members of the public who are not in some way involved with
drugs. “Generally, it’s not a random victimization,” Fraser added
Wednesday.
“People who become victims are generally involved with
them.” Still, the chief urged members of the public to report any
suspicious activity to police.