Four alleged members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club have been indicted on 45 charges stemming from an "End of Summer Bash" hosted by the club's Newark chapter at an unnamed Clinton Township restaurant on Route 22 last August.
CLINTON TWP. -- Four alleged members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club have been indicted on 45 charges stemming from an "End of Summer Bash" hosted by the club's Newark chapter at an unnamed Clinton Township restaurant on Route 22 last August. The indictments were announced Tuesday.
Why the group chose Hunterdon County for their party that drew members from the tri-state area, as well as the individuals from Ohio who were arrested, is unknown, but thanks to close monitoring, the prosecutor's Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force was able to keep an eye out for illegal activity, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns.
"We do not know exactly why they chose this area, but they did and we were prepared to deal with it," Kearns said.
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On Aug. 22, 2015, law enforcement officials reportedly saw a number of people loading large knives, machetes and other weapons into the trunk of a silver Chevrolet Malibu with an Arizona license plate parked in the restaurant's lot, according to the prosecutor's office.
Several of these individuals were also seen carrying concealed weapons, according to Kearns.
Clinton Township Police stopped the Malibu and arrested Rocco P. Gullatta of Aurora, Ohio, Kerry K. Kester of Massilon, Ohio, Joshua R. Woods of Akron, Ohion and Justin D. Morris of Canton, Ohio on various charges including unlawful possession of weapons, possession of a prohibited weapon, certain persons not to possess a weapon and unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
"In Hunterdon County we are aware there is a presence of this club, along with any other motorcycle club that may be affiliated with them, and there has always been a presence in Hunterdon County," said Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski. "So long as they are abiding by the laws they have a right to have a presence, but if they violate laws we stand ready to arrest and prosecute."
The club's party was being monitored by a number of local agencies, including the Readington Township and Clinton Township police departments as well as New Jersey State Police, and Kearns credited law enforcement surveillance units from these agencies with helping make the initial arrest.
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When asked if there are any known chapters of the club operating out of Hunterdon County, Kuczynski said, "We're not at liberty to discuss any organized group that may be involved in elicit activities."
Kearns said, "Any presence is a problem."
The group has also been in Warren County. A 2014 bar fight in Independence Township involved 10 alleged Hells Angels members and resulted in the stabbing of a Sussex County man. A civil suit has been filed by the victim and his wife this year as a result of the stabbing.
Kearns his office will continue to collaborate and share information with neighboring agencies such as the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, as well as state and federal partners.
"We are always trying to stay in front of what might be happening in the county, and we remain vigilant," Kuczynski said.
Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.