Police: 3 members of notorious biker gang arrested in Lenoir

LENOIR, N.C. — Three men in a notorious biker gang were arrested by police in Lenoir on April 5.

Police searched the Pagans Motorcycle Club’s clubhouse, seizing drugs and cash, after investigators said they got in a chase with three of their members. The clubhouse is along Highway 321 in Lenoir.

Police were there for more than three hours while they searched. Several viewers shared video and images of the large police presence along Highway 321 Wednesday night.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spoke to some of the other gang members, who told him police stole their cash. Then, they told Faherty to get off their property.

Investigators in Lenoir said they initially got a call from a restaurant a few miles away about a fight between the Pagans and Hellions.

“Everything is going smooth and then I get told by the bar manager, ‘Hey, there’s a fight out in the parking lot,’” said a woman, who works at that restaurant.

She said the Pagans went after the customers as they were leaving.

“The other clubs that I’ve seen riding around, and even in Hickory, they’re very nice, very friendly, very respectful,” she said. “They’re not showing up to jump people at bars and starting trouble like that.”

Police say as they were responding, they spotted three motorcycles in the area driving well above the speed limit.

After a chase that ended at the Pagans’ clubhouse, police, sheriff’s deputies, and the highway patrol responded. They searched everyone involved and found concealed firearms and body armor on the drivers. Investigators said they also searched the clubhouse, seizing guns, marijuana, steroids, and about $11,000 in cash.

Court documents say while checking the firearms, police were unable to locate the serial number of one of those weapons.

Chris Dishman eats at the restaurant in Lenoir often. He believes more needs to be done to keep people safe from the group.

“Two guys walked outside and they were jumped, and it wasn’t a fair fight,” he said. “They keep being allowed to do this and no one is doing anything about it to them.”

Jody Maltba, 34, and Timothy Maltba, 63, a father and son, along with a third man, Richard Barton, 31, have all been charged with felony speeding to elude. Police confirmed to Channel 9 that all three men are members of the Pagans.

Faherty saw police back at the restaurant looking at surveillance video on Thursday. They said their investigation is not over and more charges are pending.

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