Bulletin warned of potential 'war' between biker gangs

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[h=4]Bulletin warned of potential 'war' between biker gangs[/h]DALLAS — For months, there had been skirmishes and talk of a war between the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle gangs over money, turf and respect, according to a law enforcement bulletin.

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Police expect to wrap up their investigation at the scene of that deadly shootout in Waco on Tuesday. 170 people have been arrested. But police say the threat of retaliation from other bikers is still a huge concern. VPC


Motorcycles are loaded on a trailer in front of the Twin Peaks restaurant Monday, May 18, 2015, in Waco, Texas. About 170 members of rival motorcycle gangs were charged with engaging in organized crime Monday, a day after a shootout at the restaurant killed nine people and wounded 18.(Photo: Jerry Larson, AP)


DALLAS — For months, there had been skirmishes and talk of a war between the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle gangs over money, turf and respect, according to a law enforcement bulletin.
That talk escalated into open warfare in Waco on Sunday afternoon during a biker gathering at a restaurant. Nine suspected gang members were killed and 18 others were injured in a confrontation between the two motorcycle gangs at the Twin Peaks restaurant on the south side of Waco. Police said Monday that 170 people were arrested.
"Violence between members of the Bandidos OMG and the Cossacks MC has increased in Texas with no indication of diminishing," according to the bulletin. "The conflict may stem from Cossacks members refusing to pay Bandidos dues for operating in Texas and for claiming Texas as their territory by wearing the Texas bottom rocker on their vests, or 'colors' or 'cuts.' "
In the wake of the shooting, a statewide bulletin was issued to law enforcement stating that the gangs had "issued an order to kill anyone in uniform." On Monday afternoon — after interviews with more than 200 people connected to the shootout — an updated bulletin was issued to law enforcement around Texas indicating that officers are not being specifically targeted for retaliation.
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"Information has been received that law enforcement presence will not stop motorcycle gangs from completing their mission," the bulletin stated.
That mission is likely to be retaliation against each other in the wake of Sunday's violence.
The May 1 bulletin, "Tension between Bandidos OMG and Cossacks MC remains high in Texas," was issued by the Texas Joint Information Center run by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“If they want to get at each other, they're going to get at each other.”
Steve Cook, executive director of Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association
"The fact that they were wearing a Texas bottom rocker is a direct affront to the Bandidos," said Steve Cook, executive director of the Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association. "This is just not something you do. Texas is a Bandidos-controlled state, and for the Cossacks to do that … they had to know there was going to be retribution for it."
According to the bulletin, law officers had been actively trying to reduce tensions between the two groups and had met with them about it. They had been cautioned about the "unwanted attention a potential war would bring to both groups," the bulletin said.
Waco police have said that they had an increased law enforcement presence outside the restaurant because they feared violence would erupt. Police also said that they had warned the local Twin Peaks restaurant for two months about hosting the biker event.
Cook, the biker gang expert, said Sunday's event is known as a "confederation of clubs" meeting — the biker gang equivalent of an organizational meeting. At this event, the Bandidos would have considered themselves to be in charge.
"For the Cossacks to show up at that location where a (confederation of clubs) meeting is going on — directly defying the Bandidos — what do you expect the Bandidos to do?" Cook asked. "They're going to lose face in front of all these mom-and-pop clubs that they are trying to intimidate."
Cook said neither gang would have been deterred by the increased police presence.
"If they want to get at each other, they're going to get at each other," he said. "The location, who's present or not, really is not of a concern to them. They're going to do it."
The memo outlined the reasons believed to be driving the escalating tensions.
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A Bandidos chapter president had approached a Cossacks leader and told him of the "dues and fees required from all Cossacks chapters in Texas," the bulletin said. "Initially, the Cossacks chapters paid their dues, but felt disrespected once members became aware that some Bandidos support clubs did not pay the same fees. As a result, the Cossacks chapters stopped paying the Bandidos."
The bulletin did not indicate when this happened.
It noted that Cossacks members had recently "started wearing the Texas patch on the bottom rocker of their vests without the approval of the Bandidos," the bulletin said. "Traditionally, the Bandidos have been the dominant motorcycle club in Texas, and no other club is allowed to wear the Texas bar without their consent. If the club refuses, Bandidos members will attempt to remove the vest by force from the member."
The memo detailed the escalating conflict:
• March 22: About 10 Cossacks forced a Bandidos to pull over along Interstate 35. They then attacked the Bandidos member with "chains, batons, and metal pipes before stealing his motorcycle."
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• March 22: A group of Bandidos confronted a Cossacks member fueling his motorcycle at a truck stop. After the Cossacks member refused to remove the Texas patch from his vest, the Bandidos attacked him "by striking his head with a hammer and stealing his vest."
• April 7: The FBI El Paso Division received information from law enforcement that about 100 Bandidos planned to travel to Odessa on April 11 in order to start a "war" with Cossacks in the area.
• April 9: The FBI San Antonio division received information that Bandidos had "discussed the possibility of going to war with Cossacks" and "instructed members to be on the lookout for members or associates of the Cossacks" during the April 11 weekend biker rallies held in Amarillo, Hondo, Midland and Odessa.
• April 24: The FBI Dallas division released a report regarding three recent fights between Bandidos and Cossacks in East Texas.
The bulletin states that both groups had been warned that there would be an increased law enforcement presence during the April 11 weekend in Odessa.
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"The warning did little to curb the Bandidos presence, however, and it was estimated that 200 to 400 Bandidos from Texas and New Mexico rode into the Odessa area," the bulletin said. "There were no reports of Cossacks members in the area, and no significant violent activity was reported."
The bulletin described the Bandidos as "one of the largest one-percenter outlaw motorcycle groups in the United States" and the largest outlaw motorcycle gang in Texas. The Cossacks is a national club with members in the east, north and west Texas.
"Law enforcement personnel is urged to always maintain vigilance when in contact with members of either motorcycle group," the bulletin advised.
Cook, who works for a Kansas city-area police department, was part of an undercover operation that infiltrated a gang affiliated with the Bandidos. He does not believe the violence is over between the two biker gangs.
"You're absolutely going to have tit-for-tat," Cook said. "It may not be today; it may not be tomorrow; but these groups are not going to fall in love with each other. There's going to be hatred that runs pretty deep."
Cook said now is the time for law enforcement to come down hard on the Bandidos.
"In my opinion, the Bandidos shouldn't be able to move around freely anywhere in this country right now," Cook said. "Law enforcement ought to be all over these guys anywhere they go. They've definitely earned a target on their back."
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GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: Biker gangs put us on hit list after deadly shooting | 00:49The more than 160 people arrested after a biker gang shootout in Waco, Texas could face capital murder charges for their role in the incident that left nine people dead and 18 injured. Police also say they've received threats against their lives. VPC

GUNFIGHT IN WACOAfter Waco shootout, biker turf war far from over | 02:17Police expect to wrap up their investigation at the scene of that deadly shootout in Waco on Tuesday. 170 people have been arrested. But police say the threat of retaliation from other bikers is still a huge concern. VPC

GUNFIGHT IN WACOFmr. Investigator: Biker Wars 'Not Going to End' | 01:13Following the fatal gun battle between rival gangs in Waco, Texas Sunday, a former motorcycle gang investigator says these turf wars are nothing new. The ex-head of the Minnesota Hell's Angels also adds perspective. (May 18) AP

GUNFIGHT IN WACO170 motorcycle gang members arrested in shootout | 02:16About 170 members of rival motorcycle gangs were charged with engaging in organized crime Monday, a day after a shootout at a Texas restaurant that killed nine people and wounded 18. (May 18) AP

GUNFIGHT IN WACORestaurant of biker gang shooutout takes heat after violence | 01:28Twin Peaks, the restaurant in Waco, Texas, where several motorcycle gangs were involved in a shootout, is now facing reprimands from the state and the management team of the franchised restaurant. VPC

GUNFIGHT IN WACOTwin Peaks closed after biker shootout, 192 arrested | 01:53A Waco, Texas Twin Peaks is shut down for seven days for safety concerns following a gang shootout that left nine dead and 18 wounded. 192 people were arrested and charged with engaging in organized crime.

GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: Twin Peaks partly responsible for gang shootout | 01:49Nine "members of criminal biker gangs" are dead after a gunfight between rival gangs at a Texas Twin Peaks restaurant. Waco, Texas police say they partly blame the restaurant because they asked them not to host the meeting between the gangs. VPC

GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: Nine Bikers Dead in Shootout | 01:30Waco, Texas police say nine members of rival bike gangs are dead, after a shootout at a restaurant on Sunday. The fighting began while the rival gangs were meeting. (May 17) AP

GUNFIGHT IN WACODispute between biker gangs turns deadly in Waco, Texas | 02:06Nine people were killed Sunday afternoon during a gunfight between rival biker gangs at a Waco, Texas restaurant. WFAA

GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: 'Worst' gunfight in the history of Waco, Texas | 01:29Several members of rival biker gangs were killed and injured when a gunfight broke out at a Waco, Texas restaurant Sunday. VPC

GUNFIGHT IN WACOSeveral killed in Waco, Texas biker gang shootout | 00:52Nine people were killed Sunday when a gunfight broke out between rival motorcycle gangs at a Waco, Texas restaurant. KCEN

GUNFIGHT IN WACOPolice: 9 dead in Texas biker gang shooting | 00:32A shooting involving rival biker gangs at a Waco, Texas restaurant has left nine people dead and some others injured, according to police. (May 17) AP





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