Investigation followed an incident on the Civic Holiday weekend in which dozens of motorcycles were spotted travelling in a group and driving aggressively.
Ontario Provincial Police have charged 10 men after a group of motorcyclists drove aggressively on major highways in the GTA over the Civic Holiday weekend. (ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE)
“We thank the participants for providing us with this evidence,” Supt. Alison Jevons told a news conference in Vaughan on Wednesday.
Her remarks came at the end of Project Saddle, a three-month probe of stunt riding and racing on major roadways including Hwy. 401, Hwy. 403 and the Don Valley Parkway.
OPP appealing for witnesses in motorcycle mob activities over the weekend
Call 416-317-8250 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS with info pic.twitter.com/Y9PxokGqKu— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) August 9, 2017
The investigation followed an incident on the Civic Holiday weekend, in which dozens of motorcycles were spotted travelling in a group and driving aggressively.
“The danger these riders presented to themselves and to the unsuspecting drivers they distracted, cut off, or totally stopped in live lanes is beyond belief,” Jevons said.
“These stunts that self-servingly fuel their egos needed to be stopped before anyone was killed or maimed.”
The 10 bikers charged are all male and range in ages from 21 to 48.
None were members of outlaw motorcycle clubs like the Hells Angels, but the motorcycle stunt mobs were definitely organized, Det. Insp. Scott Naylor said.
OPP appealing for witnesses in motorcycle mob activities over the weekend
Call 416-317-8250 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS with info pic.twitter.com/dTS7zx1T9t— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) August 9, 2017
Motorcycle mobs have refused to stop for police and have swarmed police officers in a threatening manner on several occasions, police said.
Police displayed five seized motorcycles at the news conference, including one with the lettering “Aggressive By Nature.”
Some of the motorcycles on display had stickers over license plates, while others had no licence plates at all.
Charges laid include dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit the indictable offense of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, mischief and flight while pursued by a police officer.
With files from Annie Arnone
Source: The Toronto Star