Lindenhurst, New York — Five men affiliated with rival motorcycle gangs face significant felony charges following a violent confrontation that erupted outside a gas station in broad daylight. This incident, which left several victims with critical injuries, involved an array of weapons including knives and hammers.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced that a grand jury has indicted the men for gang-related assault stemming from the violent clash on September 14, 2025. The accused include Roger Clarke, 53, and Christopher Clarke, 21, both from New Hampshire; Joseph Bivona, 46, of Centereach; Michael Baffa, 57, of Farmingville; and Robert Miller, 54, of West Babylon.
Reports indicate that tensions flared earlier that day during a memorial service for a Pagan’s Motorcycle Club member at a Lindenhurst bar. Members of the Demons of Hell Motorcycle Club and one Hells Angel reportedly disrupted the service. What followed was a significant regrouping of approximately 15 individuals at the Route 66 gas station, where the confrontation quickly evolved into a chaotic and violent melee.
During the altercation, Roger and Christopher Clarke are accused of using a hammer and knife to assault a Pagan’s member. The injuries inflicted were severe enough to necessitate emergency surgery for one victim. Prosecutors state that Roger Clarke later attacked another member attempting to escape, causing critical lacerations.
In a separate attack, Bivona, Baffa, and Miller allegedly targeted a 76-year-old Hells Angels member, beating him with various weapons and resulting in a brain bleed that required repeated surgeries.
Each defendant faces a slew of serious charges, including first and second-degree gang assault. Roger Clarke was arraigned on January 20, where he was ordered held on bail set at $75,000 cash and is expected back in court on February 3. His attorney maintains that Clarke has entered a not-guilty plea and is committed to reviewing the case’s evidence for any potential defenses.
At the same arraignment, Christopher Clarke’s bail was set at $25,000 cash, while Bivona and Baffa also faced similar bail conditions for their charges. Each could receive a prison sentence of up to 25 years if convicted on the most serious charges.
Miller appeared in court the following day under similar charges and was also held on bail. The complexity and severity of these indictments highlight the dangerous intersection of community and gang-related violence.
“This violent outbreak endangered innocent lives and disrupted our community,” Tierney said, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. The severity of the situation reflects ongoing concerns about gang activity and its impact on local safety.
As the cases proceed through the judicial system, the community watches with apprehension, hoping for justice amidst the turmoil brought by such violent clashes. The presence of weapons and the aggressive nature of the assaults elevate the pressing issue of safety in neighborhoods affected by gang rivalries.