Police have deployed extra staff to monitor a Hells Angels convoy on the Auckland motorway for the funeral of their president, Doug Jay.
Video / NZHerald
Police have arrested one person and impounded two motorcycles after a large convoy of Hells Angels riders accompanied the funeral procession of the club’s former Auckland president Doug Jay.
Police deployed extra staff to monitor the convoy, setting up a checkpoint in Papakura and recording “instances of unlawful behaviour”.
Police Inspector Richard Sami said one person was arrested at the checkpoint for breaching their release conditions. He said “a number” of infringements were also issued.
“Police placed expectations on behaviours from the beginning, and there were minimal issues to deal with today,” Sami said.
The riders were joined by members of other gangs close to the Hells Angels, including the Head Hunters and Filthy Few, because of the esteem in which Jay was held.
Hells Angels riders including one pulling a wheelie accompanied by a lone Tribesmen MC member (bottom left) head south on the Southern Motorway at Newmarket ahead of the funeral of Doug Jay. Photo / Dean Purcell
The riders met at the Brentwood Ave headquarters in Mt Eden of the central Auckland Hells Angels charter – the outlaw motorcycle club’s term for chapter – before heading south on the Southern Motorway.
The convoy snakes its way south on Tuesday. Photo / Dean Purcell.
Police, including detectives, were stationed near the headquarters on Tuesday morning, with some filming and taking photographs.
Sami said they would deploy extra officers to monitor the movements of gang members ahead of the funeral this afternoon.
“Those movements are expected to take place between Mt Eden and Papakura,” Sami said.
Riders from various Auckland MCs on high-capacity motorcycles, including many Harley Davidson V-Rods, weave their way in and out of traffic on State Highway 1 after leaving the Hells Angels MC Auckland charter HQ. Photo / Dean Purcell
“A range of police staff will be deployed across this area, recording any instances of unlawful behaviour and there will be a checkpoint in Papakura.
“Our expectations are very clear in these sorts of events, and we have zero tolerance for poor behaviour.”
Riders from Satan's Slaves, Filthy Few and Head Hunters joined the Hells Angels for the funeral of senior Auckland member Mark Allport, known as Hyme, on May 18 this year. They are pictured heading down Dominion Rd after leaving the Hells Angels' Brentwood Ave HQ. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Sami said anyone choosing to “employ poor driving or general behaviour” can expect enforcement action.
“Our aim is for the least amount of disruption to the public today.”
The Hells Angels Auckland charter was formed in 1961 and was the first to emerge outside California.
The procession of well over 100 motorcycles heads past the Market Rd exit. Photo / Dean Purcell
There are now Auckland, Whanganui, Nomads, Central, Nelson, South Auckland and Christchurch charters, plus the Hells Angels Nomads offshoot based around the North Shore.
Tuesday’s convoy follows a large ride on May 18 from the Brentwood Ave base for the funeral of Mark Henry Allport, known as Hyme, one of the club’s most senior members in Auckland.
