BIkers get attention of authorities

No arrests were made Saturday after authorities rounded up about 40 suspected motorcycle gang members in Red Wing.

Police Chief Tim Sletten said the group - which he said involved members of "an identifiable motorcycle gang" - was pulled over near Auto Connections for "multiple driving violations." Witnesses said officers were seen approaching the bikers with assault rifles drawn, while another agent was perched on a hill behind the dealership.

Sletten downplayed witness reports that the hillside officer appeared to be a sniper. However, he said it was possible operation commanders may have placed an agent on the hill "to keep an eye on that big of a group."

To call that hillside officer a sniper, however, is "a pretty big leap," Sletten said.

The Minnesota State Patrol reportedly asked Auto Connections officials for permission to conduct the stop there for safety reasons.

Tags: crime and courts, red wing, lake pepin, daily updates, news, crime