NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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HAMILTON - Four members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (MC) and one member of the Red Devils MC have been arrested and charged with assault causing bodily harm and robbery in connection to an incident that took place in Hamilton in July 2024.
On July 4, 2024, an assault occurred at an establishment located in Hamilton. During the assault, [it is alleged that] the accused robbed the victim of personal items. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), in collaboration with Hamilton Police Service (HPS), began an investigation into the occurrence. On Aug. 21, 2024, the BEU and HPS executed search warrants at the residences of the accused. Search warrants were also executed at the Hells Angels MC clubhouse and the Red Devils MC clubhouse in Hamilton.
As a result of the search warrants, police seized four shotguns, three rifles, a shotgun barrel, ammunition, body armour and a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).
The following individuals have each been charged with assault causing bodily harm and robbery contrary to the Criminal Code:
- Joel Rollin, age 41 of Grimsby
- Trevor Pittman, age 34 of Ancaster
- Daniel Fish, age 36 of Brantford
William Ashford-Smith, age 36 of Hamilton has been charged with:
- Assault causing bodily harm
- Robbery
- Breach of prohibition order
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device
Jason Hall, age 51 of York has been charged with:
- Assault causing bodily harm
- Robbery
- Breach of firearms storage regulations
A total of 13 charges were laid against five individuals. They were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton on Sept. 23, 2024.
Anyone with information regarding illegal activity associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG) is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
QUOTES
"Outlaw motorcycle gangs continue to be involved in violent occurrences throughout our communities. 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." - OPP Detective Inspector Scott Wade, Biker Enforcement Unit
ABOUT BEU
The BEU is a joint-forces unit led by the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) and works collaboratively with other police services and law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups to ensure safer communities for all Ontarians.
Through collaboration with municipal, provincial, national and international agencies, BEU conducts training, multijurisdictional criminal investigations, and enforcement projects to curtail the organized crime activities of OMGs.
ABOUT OMGs
While the majority of motorcycle enthusiasts are law abiding, OMGs are criminal organizations whose activities cause harm and victimization in communities across Ontario. OMGs have been known to participate in illegal, profit-driven activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, extortion, intimidation, and murder.
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