New York City, New York, USA (January 12, 2020) BTN — Detectives are running down leads in an attack that saw gunmen on motorcycles open fire on the Hells Angels Bronx clubhouse earlier this month, a shooting they hope to solve before the violence escalates, authorities said.
A police official told Bronx Justice News investigators are examining all possibilities in the case, including whether a rival motorcycle club shot up the Angels’ new Throggs Neck digs on Jan. 2.
The motorcycle club recently relocated its headquarters from Manhattan to the Bronx.
Providence, Rhode Island, USA (January 11, 2020) BTN — Providence and state police are monitoring what is expected to be a large gathering of bikers at the Messer Street headquarters of the Hells Angels on Saturday.
The party, advertised on social media, is billed as a way to raise money for the defense fund of Joseph Lancia, who was arrested after he allegedly fired a gun at a passing truck on June 12.
Lancia has been identified by law enforcement as the president of the Rhode Island chapter of the Hells Angels.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with the intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a permit.
Promoted as the “Keep Joe Free Support Party,” the flier asked for a $20 donation for “music, food, raffles, auctions.”
Law enforcement sources say they are aware of the party and will be monitoring it throughout the day and evening. The Hells Angels have been embroiled in an ongoing feud with rival club The Outlaws, which has a clubhouse in Woonsocket.
Target 12 rolled by the Hells Angels headquarters Saturday around 2:00 p.m. and witnessed a large gathering of bikers. Sources say the party is expected to draw members and affiliate clubs from out of state.
Police say Lancia shot at the truck because it was being driven by a former pledge for the club with whom he was having an ongoing disagreement.
The incident led to a remarkable raid of the clubhouse by the state police, which used a special vehicle to ram through the fortified front door to gain entry.
Two other people were charged in the incident: Lance R. Imor, 54, of West Warwick, was charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine), compounding and concealing a felony, and misprision (concealment) of a felony. State Police Major Timothy Sanzi said Imor is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels.
Bartow, Florida, USA (January 11, 2020) BTN — A Louisiana man faces a minimum 15 years in prison after a jury convicted him late Thursday of firing two shots into an SUV in September 2017 as the family inside traveled to a park for a birthday celebration.
Prosecutors were seeking attempted second-degree murder convictions against Aaron Delaune, 26, for firing on the four people, including two children, in the SUV, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser attempted manslaughter.
During this week’s three-day trial, prosecutors argued that Delaune fired into the SUV to send a message to his brothers in the Kinfolk Motorcycle Club, in which he sought greater standing.
But when he testified Thursday, Delaune denied being a member of the group, which law enforcement officers testified is considered a criminal motorcycle gang.
He said the jacket and other items in his car when he was arrested belonged to friends in the club.
Delaune testified he was traveling along Havendale Boulevard in Auburndale in his Dodge Charger, following a group on motorcyclists, when a Dodge Durango repeatedly swerved into his lane, separating him from the motorcyclists. He said moments after the Durango pulled up next to his car, a window in his Charger was shattered.
“I thought I was now being shot at,” he told jurors.
He responded with gunfire, he said.
In his 2018 sworn statement to Auburndale police officers, Delaune said his shattered window had no connection with the incident involving the Durango, according to police reports. During cross-examination Thursday by Assistant State Attorney Victoria Avalon, Delaune said he had lied to detectives when he said that.
No one in the Durango, including Angel Manuel Tirado Estien, then 77, Carolina Zorrilla, 29, and 11-year-old twins Shane and Abie Tirado, was injured.
During the trial, Avalon argued that Delaune was seeking to elevate his status in the Kinfolk Motorcycle Club. She said he was a probationary member at the time and wanted more.
“He was on the cusp of full membership,” she told jurors.
In addition to finding Delaune guilty of attempted manslaughter, the jury also determined that he used a firearm in the crime and that the acts were done for benefit a criminal gang, which enhances his sentence.
Delaune has remained in custody at the Polk County Jail since his arrest in September 2018, and he will remain in jail without bail until his sentencing March 6.
Kingston, Australia (January 11, 2020) BTN — A member of the Nomads motorcycle club has been charged with drug trafficking offences by ACT Policing’s Taskforce Nemesis (TN).
The 29-year-old Kingston man was arrested after a warrant was issued on Monday for a breach of good behavior obligations.
The man was arrested in Kingston as a result of the warrant, and officers allegedly found illicit drugs suspected to be methamphetamine, heroin and GHB after searching his possessions.
Approximately $30,000 in cash was also found.
He has been charged with trafficking in a controlled drug other than cannabis, possession of a drug of dependence and breach of bail.
The man is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court today where bail will be opposed.
