There was a major disruption to the normally tranquil suburban workflow when a flock of Hells Angels stopped to get gas. I was on my way to photograph a car show over in Orland Park when I noticed a group of Hells Angels at the gas station located on the corner of 167th and La Grange. I pulled in to get a closer look. There were approximately 30 bikes along with a pickup truck congregated at the East end of the parking lot.
When I got out of the car and started to walk past the group that had gathered, they all gave a hard stare at the camera that was dangling from my neck. I understood exactly what they were saying and refrained from raising my lens.
I noticed several nervous cops drive past as I returned to my car. When I pulled out and started heading East down 167th back toward Tinley, I noticed what looked to be a police convention in a church parking lot about two blocks from the gas station. I immediately turned around and headed back to the station. When I arrived I noticed that most of the group had left, leaving behind the truck, and two Angels on bikes. I walked up to one of the Angels and said, “Hey man, what a strange coincidence! There’s a large group of police officers just two blocks down.” They smiled and asked where and how many. I told them there were about 30 cars of various sorts: State Police, County Police, Orland Police, Tinley Police and Palos Police. They thanked me for the information and I headed back down the road. I didn’t get too far when a line of squads came barreling down the road, lights a flashing and sirens a blasting…
I turned back around and headed to the station one more time. When I got there this time, the cops were shaking down the few Angels that had stayed behind. I started taking photos just in case something should happen. After a few minutes passed, I went up to one of the Angels, gave him my card and let him know I had photos if they should need them. Without saying a word, the hardened Angel took my card and nodded at me.
Within a few minutes, all the cops had departed, and the Angels flew on down the open road…
