WATCH: Police arrested high ranking gang member Richard Ernest (Ricky) Alexander Friday in Campbell River. He is now charged with First Degree murder in the death of John Dillon Brown but police aren’t saying if they think he was killed in Alexander’s gang clubhouse.
When police raided the Campbell River clubhouse of the Devils Army Motorcycle Club in August 2017 investigators said it was related to the death and suspected murder of 30-year-old John Dillon Brown in March 2016 who body was found in the trunk of his car 75 kilometres away just outside of Sayward.
Now, the president of the biker club Richard Ernest Alexander, known as Ricky Alexander has been charged with First Degree murder in Brown’s death.
“Evidence was obviously uncovered that led us to the Devil’s Army Clubhouse and therefore Alexander,” said Sergeant Brenda Winpenny, spokesperson for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU- BC).
Alexander was arrested at 2 p.m. Friday in a Campbell River parking lot.
He is a founding member of the Devil’s Army Motorcycle Club in Campbell River that opened a clubhouse on Petersen Road in 2009.
It’s a “1%” Outlaw motorcycle club and is affiliated with the Hell’s Angels.
John Dillon Brown was a semi-pro MMA fighter based in Saanich but had relocated to Campbell River shortly before his death. He was last seen Friday March 11th 2016 leaving a residence in Campbell River, then was reporting missing the next day.
He was found later Saturday in Sayward.
He was a father of four children, two of whom were born after his death. Police say he had no connection to the Devils Army or Hell’s Angels but aren’t commenting on what if any connection there was between him and Ricky Alexander.
His death was quickly ruled a homicide but investigators have not said how he was killed.
The search of the Devil’s Army Clubhouse appears to have turned up enough evidence to support charges against Alexander.
When asked if police believe Brown was killed inside the Campbell River clubhouse, Winpenny replied, “That’s something that would have to come out in court proceedings.”
Police won’t speculate on what this arrest means to the future of the Devil’s Army but say it’s a hit to the organization.
“In this case the First Degree murder charges involve a high ranking member of an Outlaw motorcycle gang and it’s extremely important for the public to be aware of the level of violence that they’re willing to go to to support their illegal activities,” said Winpenny.
Dean Stoltz
