A 41-year-old man has been charged with falsely representing himself as a former member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) while allegedly being a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang.
Details of the Allegations
Police claim that during an investigation into the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, the man identified himself as a “former member of the ADF.” However, inquiries made with the assistance of the ADF revealed that the man had “no records of military service with any branch of the ADF.”
Arrest and Charges
Officers from the NSW Police’s Raptor Squad arrested the man at approximately 3:40 pm on April 21 at a property in Peelwood, located about 85 kilometres north of Goulburn. He was subsequently charged with falsely representing himself to be a returned soldier, sailor, or airman.
Court Appearance
The accused appeared before Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charge. He was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court again in June.
Background
The Raptor Squad is a specialised unit within the NSW Police Force tasked with investigating and disrupting organised criminal networks, including outlaw motorcycle gangs. The investigation into the Hells Angels is ongoing.
Impersonating a member of the ADF is a serious offence under Australian law, carrying potential penalties including imprisonment. The case has drawn attention due to the intersection of alleged gang affiliation and false claims of military service.
Authorities have not released further details about the man’s alleged involvement with the Hells Angels or the circumstances of his arrest. The matter is set to return to court in June for further mention.
