Thomas Bell, Norman Cranshaw Rosbottom and his son, Norman
Stanley Rosbottom face charges including kidnapping, robbery, assault with a
weapon, assault and two other offences relating to organized crime groups,
police said.
A 2004 Pontiac and a Outlaws MC vest were also confiscated
Brockville police officers, with help from the Ontario
Provincial Police Biker Enforcement Unit, the Belleville Police Service and
Kingston Police Service, executed search warrants at two Brockville residences,
police said Friday.
During the raids, police said, officers seized 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.
“This investigation is ongoing with potentially more arrests
and charges forthcoming,” Brockville police said in a media release. The offences all happened here, Brockville Police Staff Sgt.
Tom Fournier said. “They happened in the city of Brockville, I would say, from
early summer on until (Thursday),” Fournier said. “It’s got to do with the gang
activity.”
"Brockville police work in conjunction with other area forces
because biker gangs are constantly on the move", Fournier added. City police have been aware of the Outlaws in the area for
nearly two years, but, “over the past summer, there’s been a drastic increase”
in their activity, he said.
This was the Brockville police force’s second motorcycle club raid this fall. In September, police arrested two other people in connection
with drug and weapons offences with motorcycle club links. Four other people were initially sought after that raid, but
all eventually turned themselves in to police in Brockville and Kingston.
Brockville police and the OPP biker unit on Friday urged
citizens “not to support organized criminal activity, including seemingly
harmless activities like purchasing support gear or participating in charitable
activities organized by these groups.”
“The presence of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) in any
community should be a concern,” a joint police statement added. “Citizens
should minimize contact with gang members and report any OMG activity to police
in their jurisdiction.”
SOURCE: Ottawa Citizen