Procession of over 700 Hells Angels bikers expected to snarl Surrey traffic as members gather for memorial

CBC News

· Posted: Jun 12, 2025 1:27 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago

Police accidental much than 700 Hells Angels bikers are expected to thrust from Coquitlam to Surrey, B.C., connected Thursday arsenic members stitchery successful the country for a founding member's solemnisation of life. 

The Surrey Police Service is alerting the nationalist that determination volition beryllium a "significant outlaw motorcycle pack presence" astir the metropolis from Thursday to Sunday.

The gathering is to wage respect to Rick Ciarniello, 1 of the archetypal Hells Angels successful B.C., Surrey RCMP Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton told CBC News.

Ciarniello died astatine property 80 successful New Westminster connected March 13, according to an obituary published successful the Vancouver Sun. 

Houghton said this week's lawsuit could beryllium 1 of the largest gatherings of outlaw motorcycle pack members the state has ever seen.

Police expect the procession to statesman astatine 11:30 a.m. Thursday successful Coquitlam and extremity astatine a banquet hallway successful the 12300 artifact of Patullo Place successful Surrey.

Delays are anticipated successful parts of Surrey betwixt 11:30 a.m. and noon connected Thursday for postulation headed northbound from Highway 1 connected Highway 15, Highway 17 to Bridgeview Drive, Bridgeview Drive to King George Boulevard, and King George Boulevard to 120 Street.

Police volition show galore of the large intersections successful the country "to guarantee the information of drivers and pedestrians," Surrey constabulary said successful a quality release.

They volition besides unit further officers passim the weekend, peculiarly astatine bars and restaurants successful Surrey, "to forestall immoderate gang-related incidents."

Houghton said they expect the Hells Angels and their supporters to attend various functions implicit the play to retrieve Ciarniello.

He noted Hells Angels members enactment "somewhat co-operatively" with police.

"Some radical mightiness beryllium amazed astatine that, but they admit the interaction that this is going to person connected traffic," Houghton said, noting it tin be overwhelming for drivers to spot specified a important fig of bikers connected the roadworthy astir them.

Houghton said portion of motorcycle pack civilization is to deterioration pack paraphernalia, called "colours," including leather vests with emblems and names.

"They person a definite aura and persona astir them, which tin beryllium precise off-putting to people."

He said their beingness tin make immoderate nationalist anxiety.

"If you spot them retired there, conscionable person immoderate awareness," Houghton said.

He said determination volition beryllium other constabulary officers connected work this play astir the region. 

"You should astir apt expect if there's groups of bikers, there's a beauteous bully accidental that constabulary volition beryllium determination nearby," helium said.