It was part of an investigation that began after a person was assaulted at an "establishment" on July 4, and robbed of their personal items, said police.
All five men, whose ages range from 34 to 51 years old, were charged with assault causing bodily harm and robbery, police said. Two are from Hamilton and the rest are from Brantford, Toronto and Grimsby.
One of the men was also charged with breach of a probation order and unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, said police. Another was also charged with breach of firearms storage regulations.
The Hells Angels Hamilton chapter started in 2005 and is one of 14 in Ontario. The gang has about 6,000 members worldwide. The Red Devils are a support club for the Hells Angels.
Police said they consider outlaw motorcycle gangs to be criminal organizations "whose activities cause harm and victimization in communities across Ontario."
The motorcycle gangs have been known to participate in fraud, drug trafficking, extortion, intimidation and murder, police said.
The OPP-led Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU) in collaboration with Hamilton Police Service executed search warrants on Aug. 21 at the residences of the accused plus the Hells Angels’ and Red Devils’ clubhouses in Hamilton.
As a result, police seized four shotguns, three rifles, a shotgun barrel, ammunition, body armour and a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).
Joel Rollin, 41, of Grimsby, Trevor Pittman, 34, of Ancaster and Daniel Fish, 36, of Brantford, have all been charged with assault causing bodily harm and robbery.
William Ashford-Smith, 36, of Hamilton, has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, robbery, breach of prohibition order, and unauthorized possession of a prohibited device.
Jason Hall, 51, of York, has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, robbery and breach of firearms storage regulations.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs continue to be involved in violent occurrences throughout our communities,” said OPP Det.-Insp. Scott Wade of the BEU, in a statement.
“The items seized and charges laid in this investigation illustrate the importance of remaining diligent in our pursuit to disrupt and dismantle these criminal organizations. The OPP BEU is grateful for the partnership and collaboration with Hamilton Police Service, and we will continue to work together to preserve community safety.”
Anyone with information regarding illegal activity associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Hells Angels and Red Devils: A History of Violence
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang with a long history of violence and criminal activity. The gang was founded in 1948 in San Bernardino, California, and has since spread to numerous countries around the world, including Canada.
The Hells Angels are known for their involvement in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and murder. They have also been linked to violence against rival motorcycle gangs and law enforcement officers.
The Red Devils Motorcycle Club is a support club for the Hells Angels. This means that they are a smaller, less powerful club that exists to support the Hells Angels' activities.
In recent years, law enforcement agencies in Canada have been stepping up their efforts to crack down on outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Hells Angels and Red Devils. These efforts have included conducting raids on gang clubhouses, seizing weapons and drugs, and arresting members.
The Fight Against Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
The arrest of five men in connection with a robbery in Hamilton is just one example of the ongoing battle against outlaw motorcycle gangs in Canada. Law enforcement agencies are committed to disrupting and dismantling these criminal organizations, and they will continue to work together to preserve community safety.
The investigation into the robbery in Hamilton is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding illegal activity associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs is asked to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
