Bandidos member charged, clubhouse raided

A PATCHED member of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang has been charged over a serious evasion incident that police say threatened the lives of multiple pedestrians in Geelong.

Police allege the rider of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, wearing a Bandidos vest, failed to stop on Brougham St when directed by police about 8.30am on December 17.

The rider allegedly evaded police, reaching speeds of more than 110km/h in a 60km/h zone, while ignoring red lights and narrowly avoiding a potentially fatal collision with several pedestrians.

Geelong Highway Patrol officers, with assistance from Geelong Crime Investigation Unit, Geelong Tasking and Crime Intervention Taskforce and Echo Taskforce, on Wednesday executed a search warrant at a Newcomb home where they arrested the 31-year-old man. Police say they seized mobile phones and items of clothing.

Officers executed a second search warrant at the Geelong Bandidos clubhouse in Breakwater, where they seized a CCTV hard drive.

Geelong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Craig Stevens said police were determined to hold drivers to account.

“This incident was an incredibly frightening experience for those innocent pedestrians who were going about their business on a Friday morning – and one that could have easily ended in tragedy,” he said.

The man has been charged with offences including dangerous driving when directed to stop by police, reckless conduct endangering persons, driving at a dangerous speed and driving while suspended. He has been remanded to face Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday.