Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
Harry "Taco" Bowman, 69, motorcycle gang leader (Outlaws); convicted murderer -- in custody
20 views
Skip to first unread message
That Derek
Mar 8, 2019, 3:08:08 PM3/8/19
to
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2019/03/06/taco-bowman-head-outlaws-motorcycle-gang-dies-at-69/3080234002/
'Taco' Bowman, ex-head of Outlaws biker gang, dies at 69
George Hunter, The Detroit News
Published 3:57 p.m. ET March 6, 2019 |
Updated 11:17 p.m. ET March 6, 2019
Detroit — A Metro Detroit native who police say was one of the most infamous motorcycle gang leaders in U.S. history died Sunday while serving a life sentence in a federal prison.
Harry "Taco" Bowman, the former leader of the Outlaws motorcycle gang who reportedly got his nickname because he looked Hispanic, died Sunday in the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Wednesday. He was 69.
Although he was president of one of the nation's most notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs, police said Bowman kept a low profile during much of his criminal career — until his photo was plastered in post offices throughout the United States in 1998, when the FBI put him on its Most Wanted List.
Federal authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, after he was indicted on murder and other charges in 1997.
The indictment claimed Bowman's notoriety in biker circles rivaled that of Hell's Angels leader Sonny Barger.
After the FBI put him on its Most Wanted List, Bowman went into hiding. He was arrested in June 1999 in a home on Griggs Drive in Sterling Heights and convicted in Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2001 of the murders of rival gang members, firebombings, racketeering, conspiracy and other charges. He was sentenced to serve two life prison sentences plus 83 years.
"He was quite a charismatic guy," said Philip Reich, who served on the Detroit Police Department's motorcycle gang detail from 1985 to 1991. "I can't say I admired what he did for a living, but I admired his leadership abilities. But we did our best to put him away."
Reich, who retired in 2007, said Bowman lived with his wife and his two daughters, who were enrolled in private schools.
"Taco’s family lived in a modest home in Grosse Pointe Farms, and he drove around in a bulletproof Cadillac," Reich said. "He was a very interesting, bright guy."
Bowman was raised in St. Clair Township and graduated from Port Huron Catholic High School. He became president of the Detroit Outlaws in 1970 and worked his way up the hierarchy until he was named national president at a leadership meeting in Joliet, Illinois, in February 1984.
The Outlaws were one of the largest outlaw motorcycle gangs in the country. They were involved in drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion and other crimes, according to police.
'Taco' Bowman, ex-head of Outlaws biker gang, dies at 69
George Hunter, The Detroit News
Published 3:57 p.m. ET March 6, 2019 |
Updated 11:17 p.m. ET March 6, 2019
Detroit — A Metro Detroit native who police say was one of the most infamous motorcycle gang leaders in U.S. history died Sunday while serving a life sentence in a federal prison.
Harry "Taco" Bowman, the former leader of the Outlaws motorcycle gang who reportedly got his nickname because he looked Hispanic, died Sunday in the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Wednesday. He was 69.
Although he was president of one of the nation's most notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs, police said Bowman kept a low profile during much of his criminal career — until his photo was plastered in post offices throughout the United States in 1998, when the FBI put him on its Most Wanted List.
Federal authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, after he was indicted on murder and other charges in 1997.
The indictment claimed Bowman's notoriety in biker circles rivaled that of Hell's Angels leader Sonny Barger.
After the FBI put him on its Most Wanted List, Bowman went into hiding. He was arrested in June 1999 in a home on Griggs Drive in Sterling Heights and convicted in Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2001 of the murders of rival gang members, firebombings, racketeering, conspiracy and other charges. He was sentenced to serve two life prison sentences plus 83 years.
"He was quite a charismatic guy," said Philip Reich, who served on the Detroit Police Department's motorcycle gang detail from 1985 to 1991. "I can't say I admired what he did for a living, but I admired his leadership abilities. But we did our best to put him away."
Reich, who retired in 2007, said Bowman lived with his wife and his two daughters, who were enrolled in private schools.
"Taco’s family lived in a modest home in Grosse Pointe Farms, and he drove around in a bulletproof Cadillac," Reich said. "He was a very interesting, bright guy."
Bowman was raised in St. Clair Township and graduated from Port Huron Catholic High School. He became president of the Detroit Outlaws in 1970 and worked his way up the hierarchy until he was named national president at a leadership meeting in Joliet, Illinois, in February 1984.
The Outlaws were one of the largest outlaw motorcycle gangs in the country. They were involved in drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion and other crimes, according to police.
0 new messages