Monday, April 19, 2004 | 11:01 a.m.
Murder indictments against at least nine members of the Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle gangs were expected to be unsealed this morning in connection with a 2002 shootout at the Laughlin River Run that left three people dead, authorities said.
Some have told authorities they plan to surrender, and those who don't will be sought by police and apprehended, authorities said.
Police and agents from the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began making arrests over the weekend, authorities said.
The charges also include gang-related offenses and firearms violations.
The unsealing of the indictments comes eight days before the second anniversary of the fatal fray at Harrah's, which occurred April 27, 2002.
Some bikers may be facing both state and federal charges. Forty-two Hells Angels were indicted for racketeering in December.
This year's River Run begins Wednesday and lasts through Saturday. Fewer police officers will be on hand but they will be using additional techniques in an effort to find bikers who are wanted and to snuff out potential violence.
Police have arrest warrants for some people who were involved in the 2002 brawl and if they are spotted at the event, they will be arrested, Lt. Tom Smitley, head of Metro Police's Laughlin substation, said.
He declined to say how many warrants they have or what charges they involve, but he did say they "are major felons. We're not looking for a taillight violator."
An estimated 70,000 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to descend upon Laughlin, a town of 8,000 residents on the banks of the Colorado River about 100 miles south of Las Vegas, Smitley said.
Last year more than 500 officers monitored the event that drew about 80,000 attendees.
There will be 320 Metro Police officers monitoring this year's five-day rally, which includes concerts, a poker run, trade show exhibits, a custom bike show and the Miss River Run contest.
Forty officers will be in plain clothes and 280 will be in uniform, including officers from the SWAT team and the gang and narcotics sections. Mounted police and K-9 officers will also be on hand.
Like last year, attendees will encounter security checkpoints, metal detectors and a ban on club insignias, or "colors," on some hotel properties.
But at this year's event, Smitley said there will be "a large contingent" of uniformed and undercover officers watching motorcyclists on the highways as they enter Nevada and police helicopters will hover in the skies above the rally watching for unlawful conduct.
"Outlaw motorcycle gangs are nothing but thugs and street gangs," Smitley said. "The key to this run is prevention and to make sure the good, hard-working people who attend have a good time."
The 2002 battle came after months of fights between Hells Angels and competing biker gangs such as the Mongols, Bandidos, Pagans and Outlaws, police said.
A Hells Angels member was killed in Phoenix a month before the River Run and two days later a Mongols member was stabbed in the back in Reno.
And, a Hells Angel member apparently on his way to the rally was shot to death on Interstate 40 in California, about 115 miles from Laughlin. Patrick Schneider, U.S. Attorney in Phoenix and president of the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association, said he isn't aware of any such violent incidents leading up to this year's rally.
But, he said, "there's always some concern because some of the groups aren't exactly friendly," he said.
Smitley agreed, pointing out that rival gangs are in "an ongoing war" over turf, like any other gang.
Something that police will work to prevent are "en masse" rides through Laughlin, in which 200 or 300 bikers ride through town together.
"It's an intimidation thing by these motorcycle gangs to show they have ownership" over a turf, Smitley said. "They violate every traffic law, they violate morals and safety standards."
About 200 undercover motorcycle gang investigators from all over the world will be mingling with the crowds. Outlaw biker gangs are more violent in Europe, Smitley said, and investigators will be watching for people who are wanted overseas and Canada.
Sgt. Bob Kenney of the Connecticut State Police, a nationally recognized expert on Harley Davidson theft, will be at the rally for the third year in a row watching for stolen motorcycles.
Last year, Kenney helped recover 20 stolen bikes, Smitley said. Ten were reported stolen, but four were suspicious, he said, and fraud was suspected.
Police made 108 arrests for various offenses; 15 arrests for driving under the influence and wrote 300 traffic citations.
Smitley said "99 percent of the people who attend are really good people." Police presence makes them feel safer, he said.
"Police greet people. It's a warm and friendly environment," he said. "They're also there to preserve life."
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