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Cops eye Hells Angels’ party

A raid on the their clubhouse earlier this week didn't appear to slow down festivities at an annual Hells Angels BBQ event in Kelowna Saturday.

Dozens of motorcycles were parked outside the Kelowna Hells Angels clubhouse in the city's North End Saturday, and riders showed up throughout the afternoon.

Many sported the Hells Angels “death head” logo on their jackets, while others appeared to be affiliated with various support clubs.

Photo: Nicholas Johansen
Motorcycles lined the street outside the Kelowna Hells Angels clubhouse Saturday.
 

Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, media relations officer with B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, said the gathering was the annual K-Town BBQ Cook Off, hosted by the Kelowna chapter of the Hells Angels for the past eight years.

Several Kelowna RCMP and CFSEU-BC officers were on scene, taking photographs of the people and bikes that were coming and going from the property.

Sgt. Winpenny said the officers were there to “ensure public safety” and gather intel.

The BBQ comes just a few days after police raided the property, as part of an investigation into an aggravated assault that allegedly occurred in downtown Kelowna earlier this month.

Hours prior to the raid, Colin Bayley, who police say is a “known prospect of an outlaw motorcycle gang,” was arrested and charged in the assault. He was released on bail Thursday.

The Kelowna property is one of three Hells Angels clubhouses the BC Civil Forfeiture Office is looking to seize, arguing the properties will be used to commit crimes in the future. The trial, which began in April 2018, is ongoing.