8 Bacon brothers associates dead since warning issued
8 Bacon brothers associates dead since warning issued
Several others have been shot, beaten or targeted in drive-bys, including Jamie Bacon
BY KIM BOLAN, VANCOUVER SUNSEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Being close to Abbotsford’s notorious Bacon brothers has proven very deadly in recent months.
Since the Integrated Gang Task Force warned those associated with Jon, Jarrod and Jamie Bacon to steer clear of the trio or be potentially marked for death, eight associates have been murdered.
Several others have been shot, beaten or targeted in drive-bys, including Jamie, who was uninjured in a shooting last January.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed Friday that two of Abbotsford’s most recent slaying victims — Bobby LeRoy DiGeorgio, 24, and his 23-year-old girlfriend Jessica Illes — were linked to the Bacons and the Red Scorpion gang they head.
“Investigators have uncovered information that shows DiGeorgio and Illes had links to the Red Scorpion gang and the Bacon Brothers crime group,” Cpl. Dale Carr said. “Investigators have learned that DiGeorgio and Illes committed their serious criminal and drug activity with the assistance of others throughout the Fraser Valley region.”
Carr said in an interview that investigators suspect others were working closely in the drug trade with DiGeorgio and Illes and may now be targeted as well.
“Investigators want to speak to these people for two reasons,” he said. “Firstly, we are concerned for their safety and want to check on their well-being. Secondly, we want to learn additional information regarding the murder of Illes and DiGeorgio.”
Carr reiterated the warning first issued on May 31, 2008 that any association with the Bacon brothers could be hazardous to one’s health.
“I will go on record warning people again,” he said. “If you are going to be involved in that kind of activity or you are going to be involved with people that we stated to stay away from, then you run the risk of being murdered and having an early funeral.
“It is painfully obvious the way the last two years have gone.”
Jamie Bacon and four other Red Scorpion associates are in jail charged in the Surrey Six murders and awaiting trial. They are due back in court Sept. 20.
Jarrod and Jon Bacon each face other charges and are out on bail conditions that include curfews.
Other Red Scorpions have faced charges in other investigations in recent months, ranging from trafficking to murder.
But the body count of those associated with the gang this year is already at eight, in eight months.
It started when high-ranking Bacon associate Kevin LeClair was gunned down in Langley Feb. 6. The other seven slayings linked to Bacon friends have all taken place in Abbotsford: Sean (Smurph) Murphy on March 30; Ryan (Whitey) Richards on March 31, Dilsher Singh Gill and Joseph Randay on May 1, Billy Rai on June 30 and then DiGeorgio and Illes last week.
No one has been arrested in any of the actual murders, though several United Nations gang members are in jail charged with plotting to kill the Bacons and other Red Scorpions.
“I would suggest if you have never met the Bacons and you meet them, turn around and run,” Carr said.
Posters to The Vancouver Sun blog The Real Scoop said this week that both DiGeorgio and Illes were working for the Bacons and the RS running drug lines. Some suggested there had been drug “rip-offs.” And they also said the pair was targeted by the rival UN.
Carr would not comment on whether investigators had pegged a motive in the most recent slayings or identified suspects.
He asked anyone with information to call the IHIT Tip-line at 1-877-551-IHIT.
After the executions this spring of Richard, 19, Murphy, 21, and Grade 12 students Randay and Gill, Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich said all four appeared to have been killed because of a perceived link to the Bacons and RS.
“It appears to us that these gangs, who have not been completely successful in eliminating all the targets they want to high up in the Bacon organization, are now targeting people at any level and that includes entry-level drug dealers,” Rich said.
“This is a warning to all young people who are engaged in the sale of drugs at any level — you may be at risk. You may be targeted. You have to get out. … You have to get out now.”
Abbotsford police will provide anti-gang literature to schools beginning next week and is also planning workshops on the issue for students.
The Vancouver Sun
