An alleged high-ranking member of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) will face court today charged with consorting and breach of bail.
Amendments to the Crimes Act 1900, passed by NSW Parliament on 9 April 2012, make it an offence to “habitually consort” with people who have been convicted of an indictable offence.
The new legislation is being used by State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad, and in particular by that squad’s Strike Force Raptor and Strike Force Kinnarra, as a proactive strategy in combating OMCG-related organised crime.
Since the introduction of the legislation, police have issued consorting warnings to a number of OMCG members and associates.
About 8.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 16 May 2012), a 30-year-old man was arrested at Penrith Police Station.
Police charged the man with habitually consort with convicted offenders after warning, and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today.
The man was also issued with a traffic infringement notice, with police alleging he was not carrying his licence when he arrived at the station on his motorcycle.
Strike Force Kinnarra was established by State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad on Tuesday 17 April 2012 to investigate shootings at five homes and businesses at Merrylands, Baulkham Hills, Granville and Northmead in the early hours of that morning.
Also under investigation are two shootings at Rouse Hill and Bella Vista on Friday 20 April 2012, and a shooting at a unit block in Merrylands on Monday 23 April 2012.
Fourteen people are now before the courts as a result of Strike Force Kinnarra operations.
The Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and is a proactive and high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and any associated criminal enterprises.
