Alleged bikie in court over car theft -
NEWS.com.au - AN alleged Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle gang member
is to face a Sydney court over the theft of 12 cars from a holding yard
in Sydney's south-west.
Bachiri Fakhri, 26, from Hurstville south of Sydney, was extradited from
Western Australia yesterday.
He was charged with numerous offences relating to the alleged theft of
12 cars from a holding yard at Shepherd Street, Liverpool on February
14.
The charges included aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping,
participating in a criminal group, and dealing with the proceeds of
crime.
The man faced Perth Central Local Court earlier this week, where police
made an application for his extradition to Sydney.
Bail was refused and he was ordered to appear in court today.
Police allege a group of 13 men entered the holding yard on February 14
before assaulting three male employees.
One was locked in the boot of a car.
Police estimate the total value of the stolen vehicles is $500,000.
So far, eleven of those vehicles have been recovered, while detectives
are appealing for public help in locating a white Mazda 3.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime
Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Cause of fatal motorcycle crash on bridge probed -
Philadelphia Inquirer - Officials are
investigating what caused a motorcycle accident that sent a 19-year-old
female passenger flying off a bridge into the Schuylkill and to her
death.
Divers recovered the body of Ryan Benita Benjoman about 12:30 a.m.
yesterday morning, more than three hours after the accident on the
Dannehower Bridge in Norristown.
Police were called to the bridge about 9 p.m. Tuesday and found a
mangled motorcycle and a seriously injured rider in the road, officials
said. The motorcycle had hit a car, police said, though no one in the
car was injured. The 21-year-old man operating the motorcycle was flown
to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His condition has not
been reported.
Broadcast news reports said investigators were looking into the
possibility that the motorcycle had been racing another motorcycle.
Harley rider badly hurt after deer hit on I-469 -
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - A Fort Wayne
man was hospitalized in critical condition after his motorcycle collided
with a deer on Interstate 469 on Wednesday morning.
George Welsh, 46, was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle west on I-469,
just east of where it intersects with Interstate 69 on the city’s
northeast side, according to Officer Michael Joyner, Fort Wayne police
spokesman.
A witness told police a deer darted into the road, hitting Welsh’s
motorcycle just after 6 a.m. The deer was killed.
Welsh was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition
Wednesday afternoon, police said.
He suffered head injuries and was not wearing a helmet, Joyner said.
Police did not have details on how fast Welsh was traveling when the
crash occurred.
“There are warning signs to slow to 45 mph in the area of the
interchange,” Joyner said.
Meanwhile, drivers heading west on I-469 near the Auburn Road exit were
rerouted to different exits during the crash investigation, which lasted
until about 9 a.m.
The crash remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne-Allen County
Crash Team.
Motorcyclist ejected, killed in Garfield -
Deseret News - A California man was killed after losing control
of his motorcycle and crashing Wednesday afternoon.
Richard Raymond Badella, 77, of Fresno, Calif., was traveling west on
state Route 12 near Boulder, Garfield County, according to a press
release from Utah Highway Patrol.
At about 12:12 p.m. the Harley Davidson motorcycle Badella was riding
went off the north shoulder of the road. The bike fishtailed and
collided with a reflector post next to a cattle guard, according to the
release. Badella was thrown from the motorcycle.
Badella was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where he
died from his injuries. Badella was wearing a helmet, according the
release.
Motorcyclists die in Garfield County - Salt
Lake Tribune - Two motorcyclists died in separate crashes on
State Road 12 in Garfield County.
One collided with a car turning left in front of him Tuesday night in
Panguich, said Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Cameron Roden.
Robert W. Adkins, 48, of Henrieville, was driving a Harley-Davidson
Super Glide east about 9 p.m. when a westbound Honda Accord started to
turn left into Harold's Place Inn, about a half mile from U.S. Highway
89.
Adkins tried to slow down as the Accord turned in front of him but could
not avoid the collision.
The bike tipped onto its side and slid into the right rear passenger
door.
Adkins was taken to Garfield Memorial Hospital, where he died. The crash
will be investigated and later screened with the county attorney for
possible charges.
Adkins was leaving the Silverado Boys Ranch south of Panguitch when he
was killed. He had recently started a job there as a counselor after
finishing a master's degree in social work at Southern Utah University,
said Garfield County sheriff's spokeswoman Becki Bronson.
He leaves behind a wife and six children, Bronson said.
About noon Wednesday, a second motorcyclist crashed on State Road 12
near Boulder, Roden said.
Richard Raymond Badella, 77, was driving west about 12 miles north of
Boulder when he veered into the shoulder, fishtailed and was thrown from
his 2005 Harley-Davidson, Roden said. He was taken to Utah Valley
Regional Medical Center,
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where he died.
There was no sign of impairment or excess speed, Roden said.
Both motorcyclists were wearing helmets.
Residents look for ways to make bike rallies tolerable -
Myrtle Beach Sun News - A group of about 40
people - area residents and public officials - met Wednesday and
discussed ways to possibly end the two motorcycle rallies that happen in
the area each May.
Several residents at the meeting said changes in Horry County and Myrtle
Beach's laws targeted toward the biker rallies helped make the area more
peaceful during this year's rallies, and they are looking for ideas to
make it even more tolerable in the future.
"I just want to live in peace, tranquility and quiet," said Garden City
Beach resident Paul Price, who spearheaded the meeting. "The county has
reduced the Harley-Davidson [rally] to seven days, that has helped
tremendously, but we've got a long way to go."
Among those at the meeting were Horry County Police Chief Johnny Morgan
and Horry County Councilman Gary Loftus.
"We need that support and we need laws enforced 365 days a year," Price
said. "It would make a difference."
Paul Benik, who lives in the Arcadian Shores development in
unincorporated Horry County, said he would like to see the noise issue
improved.
Residents also raised concerns about noise complaints and whether their
complaints were getting addressed by law enforce ment.
"The county is letting this get out of hand with permitting [biker bars]
to take their activities outside," said Benik, who pointed out that
several of the bars are within miles of residential areas. "It should be
handled through planning, zoning and code enforcement and not let this
happen [outside permitting] in certain areas. We're not against bikers,
there's just got to be rationality to permitting bars."
Price, who used to own a motorcycle, said he enjoyed riding but said he
had a muffler, didn't use profanity, and is looking for those family
values.
"You have to learn to co-exist," Price said. "Everybody doesn't think
alike."
Thunder rolls into town today - Hey Johnstown -
Thunder in the Valley is kicking into high gear today and motorcycle
enthusiasts will be coming into the region from all over the country.
In 1998 the event brought in approximately 5,000 visitors and featured
only a handful of vendors, attractions and events, said Olivia Bragdon,
communications coordinator for the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Since then, the rally has grown to attract nearly 200,000 visitors and
125 vendors for events at a number of venues, including Johnstown,
Ebensburg, Nanty Glo and Windber.
The success of the now nearly weeklong event means that planning begins
almost a year in advance, said organizers. “We feel that everyone is
offering a little bit of a different atmosphere,” said Windber committee
member Robin Gates.
“People don’t have to feel limited to one site and can tour the whole
area, really experience the region,” she said.
To summarize the hundreds of individual events, entertainment
opportunities and vendors would be difficult, but Thunder has always
maintained a number of highlights for visitors.
One of the mainstays has always been the kickoff party held Thursday
evening by members of the Westmoreland, Somerset and Cambria County
ABATE (American Bikers for Awareness, Training and Education) at
Greenhouse Park in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County.
The event, known as an adult-only gathering, now runs through the
weekend with bands, campers, vendors and motorcycle enthusiasts.
Downtown Johnstown has always been the primary hub for Thunder in the
Valley and the biggest draw is usually the Grand Thunder Parade at noon
on Saturday, Bragdon said.
This year thousands of bikers will also be treated to appearances by the
Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale promotion team, AON professional wrestlers,
the Ms. Thunder court and others.
In addition to the parade, the majority of vendors and entertainment
showcase at the Biker Mall near Main and Union streets, the Central Park
plaza and at the Train Station venues.
Parking for motorcycles is free all weekend in sections of the downtown
area and CamTran is offering special loop service throughout the area.
Since the event is all about bikes, the weekend wouldn’t be complete
without major manufacturers setting up shop to tantalize the crowds with
their latest wares.
Harley-Davidson, Kymco, Suzuki, Can-am Spyder and Yamaha will all take
booths at the Train Station with the newest bikes, equipment and
accessories available for purchase or even demo rides.
Custom bike lovers will also have an opportunity to check out West Coast
Choppers at the Johns Street Bridge.
The entertainment will range from musical acts to motorcycle stunt teams
with major shows including the StarBoyz motorcycle stunt team in Windber
and like-minded act Tommi Ahvala in Johnstown.
Musically, everything from blues to metal will compete for earspace
throughout the weekend.
The Original KISS Army will bring ’80s rock to Windber’s Arcadia Theater
today, and those in love with classic and old-style rock ‘n’ roll will
be pleased to catch Donnie Iris & The Cruisers at Point Stadium on
Friday in Johnstown.
There’s even a place for children this year as organizers have begun to
lean toward family-friendly fare with activities available at the corner
of Main Street and Walnut Street, Bragdon said.
Motorcyclist in critical after bike-garbage truck crash -
Peoria Journal Star - After being hit by a
garbage truck Wednesday morning, a motorcycle driver was in critical
condition.
Kim Tyree, 55, of 1503 E. Rouse Ave., Peoria Heights, was taken to OSF
Saint Francis Medical Center.
According to Peoria Heights police, both vehicles were southbound when
they collided about 6:55 a.m. in the 4000 block of North Prospect Road.
The G and O Disposal truck driven by Gary G. Savage, 67, of 958 E. South
St., Galesburg, jogged slightly to the left before making a right turn
into an alley. Tyree, who was riding behind the truck in the right lane,
was unable to stop quickly enough to avoid hitting the front
passenger-side door of the truck, police said. Tyree was wearing a
helmet.
Savage was ticketed on a charge of making an improper turn.
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