NCJ Number
147211
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 47 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 32-33,78
Date Published
1981
Length
3 pages
Annotation
An investigation by the Fayetteville, North Carolina, police department found that the Outlaw and Hell's Angels motorcycle gangs were heavily involved in auto theft and related crimes.
Abstract
The agency's auto theft unit discovered that most motorcycles stolen in the town were Harley-Davidsons. The officers recruited and trained informants to observe motorcycle gangs. The informants found that gang members in the area were using a set of Harley-Davidson dies were being used to change vehicle identification numbers. Gang members also had access to blank titles. Based on this information, the auto theft unit set up an undercover buy of a Harley- Davidson motorcycle that had been reported stolen. The investigation revealed that motorcycle gangs and other bike owners would falsely report a bike stolen, then change the identification number, complete a blank title, and resell the stolen motorcycle. The owner would also collect money from his insurance company. This investigation showed that motorcycle gangs may be involved in what is often regarded as a white collar crime.