WA: Police show of strength at bikie funeral

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-1999
WA: Police show of strength at bikie funeral

PERTH, April 16 AAP - Police made an extraordinary show of strength at the Perth funeral of
an outlaw motorcycle gang leader, turning out in their hundreds with the riot squad and dog
squad on hand.

Before the procession from Medina to the Fremantle cemetery for the funeral of Norman Hugo,
42, the president of the Gypsy Jokers Perth chapter, police said they would match the bikie
numbers.

More than 200 bikers - from different clubs and some from interstate - travelled in a
cavalcade of chrome and leather, riding two abreast behind the black funeral hearse.

When the cortege arrived at the entrance to the cemetery shortly after 3.30pm the police
descended in large numbers.

More than 60 squad cars and buses dropped police at the entrance to the cemetery.

Wooden barricades were set up and all bikies later leaving the cemetery were checked and
riders questioned on whether they had permits exempting them from wearing helmets.

Acting Detective Superintendent Jim Migro refused to confirm police numbers, but said they
outnumbered the bikies.

He said it was the biggest police security operation he had ever been involved in.

"Numbers have been significant to ensure that everybody in the community obeys the law," he
said.

Mourners had a farewell drink for Mr Hugo inside the cemetery, but police did not conduct
breath tests as they left.

Mr Hugo and his pillion passenger Nicole Maree Williams, 30, died in a road accident on
Sunday.

A 27-year-old man has been charged over the deaths. He allegedly drove his utility on the
wrong side of the Albany Highway, Bedfordale, when it collided with Mr Hugo's motorbike.

During the ride to the cemetery today some bikies wore bandanas to cover their faces.

Police used video cameras today to film the bikies.

Police have conducted a campaign against outlaw motorcycle gangs after club wars last year
led to the driveby shooting of a member of the Coffin Cheaters gang.

They also lodged a complaint with the ABC this week over a Four Corners program which they
complained glossed over the facts and portrayed bikies as "pussycats and loveable rogues".

No arrests were made after today's funeral.

AAP alm/pr/cjh/br

KEYWORD: BIKERS NIGHTLEAD

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