A vehicle was set on fire last night in Frampton, Beauce, near the hideout of a Hells Angels training club that has been attacked in the past. Police are trying to determine if there could be a link to the clashes between bikers and street gangs and independent traffickers in eastern Quebec.
“The origin of the fire is considered suspicious. An investigation is underway into the causes and circumstances of the event, but it is too early to make a link with armed violence,” said Frédéric Deshaies, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec in the region. Several investigators are on site Monday, but traffic is not disrupted.
The burned-out vehicle was found on Route 112, two kilometres from the Red Devils headquarters, a Hells Angels training club. The presence of this hideout linked to the criminal group has caused a lot of commotion over the past year in the quiet municipality of 1,300 residents, and each new incident in this area is closely scrutinised, because of the potentially broader implications for organised crime.
Henchmen had tried to set fire to the building last May, but were spotted by bikers guarding the premises, gunfire erupted and one man was injured. The attackers had been linked by several sources to the Blood Family Mafia (BFM) gang, which is waging war on the Hells Angels.
Shots were also fired in the area in 2023. Police have also conducted a search of the biker den in the past.
A conflict that lasts
The conflict over the drug market is linked to several violent incidents that have occurred in recent weeks. Two men considered to be close to the Hells Angels were targeted by attacks. Shots were fired at the residence of Jean-Noël “Sarto” Lacroix, while vehicles belonging to his company were set on fire. Patrick Laurendeau was hit by several firearm projectiles while he was behind the wheel of his vehicle. He survived his injuries.
On Monday morning, the Parti Québécois asked the Quebec government to provide additional assistance to Quebec City to combat gangs and organized crime.
“We cannot allow the situation to deteriorate. The government must act to reduce this increase in crime, combat organized criminal groups and maintain the feeling of security,” declared Pascal Paradis, member of parliament for Jean-Talon.
The mayor of Quebec has publicly asked on more than one occasion for additional resources to help his municipal police service deal with the recent wave of violence.