Police are closely monitoring the resurgence of a former dominant outlaw motorcycle gang in northern Ontario. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is keeping a close eye on Satan’s Choice due to increased activity, while other biker gangs also maintain chapters in the region. Detective-Inspector Scott Wade of OPP’s Biker Enforcement Unit expressed concerns about the potential for violence and criminal activities associated with emerging outlaw motorcycle gangs. The unit, in operation for about three decades, collaborates with law enforcement agencies across Ontario and internationally to combat these groups.
Satan’s Choice, once considered one of Ontario’s most powerful motorcycle gangs, was absorbed into the Hells Angels through a “patch-over” in the early 2000s. The club, led by former international boxer Bernie Guindon, has a longstanding history in Canada. Guindon, who served time in prison for various offenses, including drug trafficking, saw the club relaunched this past summer by his son, Harley Guindon, a former Hells Angels member with his own criminal record.
In northern Ontario, past conflicts between Satan’s Choice and law enforcement, like the 1996 bombing incident in Sudbury, highlight the group’s history of violence and criminal activities. Recent social media posts indicate the establishment of new Satan’s Choice chapters in cities such as Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Oshawa, and Hamilton. OPP Detective-Inspector Wade emphasized the potential for turf wars and conflicts with rival clubs, urging vigilance to prevent public violence.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide are observing similar trends regarding outlaw motorcycle gangs, known as OMGs. Sgt. Ryan Ferry of the Edmonton Police Service, a seasoned expert in gang-related crime, highlighted the pervasive criminal activities and threats posed by these groups. Outlaw motorcycle gangs are distinct from recreational riding clubs due to their organized structure, criminal connections, and use of fear and intimidation tactics.
Ferry warned against romanticizing the outlaw biker lifestyle, emphasizing the serious criminal implications and risks associated with joining these groups. Despite the allure of camaraderie and freedom promoted by biker culture, individuals may find themselves entangled in criminal networks, facing violence, extortion, and other consequences. Most individuals who become involved in outlaw motorcycle gangs eventually regret their decision due to the lifestyle’s hardships and legal repercussions.
