Warlocks Motorcycle Club
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The Warlocks Motorcycle Club refers to two entirely separate and unaffiliated motorcycle clubs. Both founded in 1967, one is based out of Florida and the other based out of Pennsylvania.
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[edit] Pennsylvania Warlocks
| Founded | February 1967 |
|---|---|
| In | Darby, Pennsylvania |
| Years active | 1967-present |
| Territory | Northeastern United States |
| Allies | Iron Horsemen[1] |
The Warlocks Motorcycle Club is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gang that was formed in Darby, Pennsylvania in 1967. It was the first official outlaw motorcycle club founded in Pennsylvania.[2] and there are now chapters throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, and Minnesota. They bear "colors" that are unique to the other Warlocks organizations and are the first of the known Warlocks to possess the 1%er diamond patch, worn on their "colors" over their hearts. The club's insignia is a Harpy, a legendary winged creature in Greek mythology, and their colors are red and white. The club expanded rapidly at the end of the Vietnam War when thousands of ex-soldiers returned to the United States, many to Pennsylvania, feeling outcast from society.
[edit] Criminal activities
In December 1988, the Warlocks kidnapped then the Breed chapter president Craig "Coyote" Gudkneckt. Since several Warlock members had been jumped in a Bensalem bar, Gudkneckt was taken to the home of a Warlock where he was tied up, beaten and pistol-whipped. Gudkneckt escaped and in violation of underworld codes against speaking to authorities, went straight to the police to report the crime.[3]
On May 6, 1995, Franklin Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Police Sgt. Ippolito "Lee" Gonzalez pulled over Warlocks members Robert "Mudman" Simon and Charles Staples on a traffic stop moments after the two had committed a commercial burglary. Simon shot Gonzalez twice, in the head and neck, and Gonzalez died instantly. Simon later said he shot Sergeant Gonzalez because he did not want to return to prison. Simon was quickly apprehended, pled guilty, and was sentenced to death. In 1999, Simon was stomped to death by Ambrose Harris, another death-row inmate, in New Jersey's Trenton State Prison. Harris argued self-defense, and charges were dropped.
In 2006, Tommy Zaroff, born about 1972 (age 39–40), a former President of the Bucks County chapter of the Warlocks was arrested on suspicion of possessing ten pounds of methamphetamine, and was sentenced to at least five years after pleading guilty to charges including distributing a controlled substance, profiting from illegal acts and conspiracy.[4][5] On February 4, 2009, Daniel "Dirty Dick" McElheney, born about 1944 (age 67–68), was arrested under his alias Richard McElheney, after his home was raided by police. Police seized six rifles, ten handguns and various illegal drugs.[6]
In October 2008, Pennsylvania State Attorney General Tom Corbett alleged that the Warlocks motorcycle gang are involved with a methamphetamine manufacturing operation based in Berks County Pennsylvania. The sting was dubbed "Operation Underground". Corbett said the operation manufactured and distributed $9 million worth of methamphetamine throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and possibly (supplied) to members of the Warlocks motorcycle gang, which has been linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. "The Warlocks have been the subject of other investigations, and we will continue to investigate the Warlock-Spadafora meth connection," Corbett said. He added that the investigation is continuing and he expects more arrests. There were no Warlocks arrested or charged at the time of this press release.[7]
[edit] Florida Warlocks
| Founded | Summer 1967 |
|---|---|
| In | Orlando, Florida |
| Years active | 1967-present |
The Warlocks Motorcycle Club, or Warlock Nation, is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gang with chapters in various parts of the United States, England and Germany. The club was established by Tom "Grub" Freeland,[8] an ex-US Navy sailor, on the outskirts of Orlando, Florida in 1967 and the Mother Chapter is still based there. They have over nine chapters in Florida, five in South Carolina, four in Virginia, three in West Virginia, one in New York, two in Lincolnshire, England, two in Germany and one in Canada. There are also several Nomads who live and work in states that don't have Warlocks chapters. The club's insignia is a Phoenix sandwiched between the top and bottom rockers, and their colors are black, red and yellow. Their mottos include "Our Business is None of Your Fucking Business" and "Warlocks forever, forever Warlocks" ("W.F.F.W.").[9]
[edit] Criminal activities
The Warlocks were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 1991, after Steve Martin, an undercover agent, infiltrated the club, and several members were arrested and released. Again, in 2003 the ATF investigated the Warlocks, and convicted several members of drug and weapon charges once more. Only a few were convicted. most charges were entrapment against the club.[unreliable source?][10]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Angels in Disguise?
- ^ The Original Warlocks MC website
- ^ Badder Breed
- ^ Mason, Laurie (January 12, 2006), "Meth ring member pleads guilty Thomas Zaroff has ties to the Warlocks motorcycle gang, police said.", The Intelligencer (Doylestown, PA): B5
- ^ Caparella, Kitty (27 July 2006), "Meth arrests hurt 2 motorcycle clubs: Breed, Warlocks ties found", Knight Ridder Tribune Business News
- ^ Caparella, Kitty (11 February 2009), "BRIEF: Warlock biker faces drug, weapons charges", McClatchy - Tribune Business News (Washington DC)
- ^ Shooting target found in Berks County meth raids looks like a police officer (WITH VIDEO)
- ^ Gangland: Warlocks MC, Part 2
- ^ The Bikers Motor Club Series
- ^ Gangland: Warlocks MC, Part 1
[edit] External links/sources
- The Original Warlocks MC
- Warlocks MC International website
- Text from New Jersey State Commission of Investigation report on outlaw motorcycle gangs, as posted on New Jersey Mafia website
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