Bandidos charged and vehicles seized in traffic incident south of Perth

4 hours ago 1

WA Police say more than a dozen patched Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang members have been charged and their motorbikes seized following a traffic incident in Baldivis on Friday night.

WA Police have charged 18 patched Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang members.

A total of 18 Bandido members have been charged with a number of offences including driving with the intent to evade police and failing to comply with a direction to stop in aggravated circumstances.

The incident occurred at about 5.25pm on Friday after police received reports of a large group of outlaw motorcycle gang members gathering at a service station on Safety Bay Road in Baldivis.

Police say significant resources were deployed at the scene following the report including the Police Air Wing unit, which captured the group of motorcyclists allegedly travelling in a convoy and riding recklessly on Kwinana Freeway.

According to a WA Police spokesperson, ground units activated emergency lights and sirens, but it will be alleged that the group of motorcyclists failed to stop and continued northbound on the freeway at excessive speed.

“It will be further alleged that during the incident, two motorcyclists obstructed police officers by blocking ground units, to assist the rest of the convoy to speed away,” the spokesperson said.

“A short time later, police stopped traffic on Kwinana Freeway near Millar Road, causing the entire convoy to come to a halt.”

All 18 men were arrested, their motorcycles were seized and they were charged with driving with the intent to evade police and failing to comply with a direction to stop in aggravated circumstances.

WA Police seized vehicles driven by the club members.

A 44-year-old man and a 41-year-old man were also charged with one count each of obstructing public officers.

Police say three male occupants of a white Holden Caprice sedan were issued dispersal notices, while one other motorcyclist was issued a traffic infringement.

Just after 8pm on Friday night, a WA Police spokeswoman issued a release saying WA Police were responding to the incident.

“Significant police resources are in the area and at the scene, with multiple people in custody,” she said.

“The community can be reassured that police have the matter in hand and there are no concerns for the public’s safety.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously.

The state government introduced anti-consorting laws in 2021 aimed at stopping selected gang members from meeting with each other, and banning the display of gang insignia including tattoos and patches in public places.

Under the laws, a person can be jailed for up to 12 months and fined $12,000 for consorting contrary to a dispersal notice or displaying insignia of an identified organisation in a public place.

However, currently none of the 18 men have been charged with anti-consorting laws.

All 18 men are set to face Perth Magistrates Court with the first four to appear on January 28.