Authorities say two men tied to the Pagans motorcycle club are accused of assaulting a 70-year-old patron at Mogie's Irish Pub in Lower Burrell earlier this year.
According to investigators, the victim, who was wearing clothing linked to a rival club, was shoved into the bar, had his shirt ripped, was kicked, and left with broken glasses.
Charges and Who Prosecutors Say Is Involved
According to a news release from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office, Robert Browne, 27, and Devin Colucci, 25, are charged with robbery, simple assault, theft, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and harassment.
Prosecutors say Colucci also faces an additional count of possessing a prohibited and offensive weapon.
What Prosecutors Say Happened Outside the Bar
Prosecutors say the confrontation started on Jan. 22 in the parking lot of Mogie's, when Colucci allegedly approached the 70-year-old man and told him he was not "allowed in the area" because it was Pagans territory.
From there, investigators allege Colucci and Browne attacked the man as he tried to go back into the bar, as reported by CBS Pittsburgh. According to that coverage, the victim was wearing an "Outlaw OMG" shirt associated with the rival Outlaws Motorcycle Club, and surveillance video from the scene backed up his account of the attack.
How Investigators Tracked the Suspects and Where the Case Stands
The district attorney's office says detectives used license-plate reader data to match vehicles linked to Browne and Colucci to the timeline of the alleged assault.
At a preliminary hearing on March 31, all charges were held for court, and both men remain in the Westmoreland County Prison on $300,000 bail, according to the release.
Why Club Shirts and Colors Can Turn Volatile Fast
Law enforcement research and federal assessments note that disputes over colors, patches, or shirts can escalate quickly among so-called "one-percenter" motorcycle clubs that fiercely guard territory and reputation.
A clinical review in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine and national gang reporting from the FBI describe these clubs as highly territorial and prone to confrontations.
Legal Note
The charges are accusations, and Browne and Colucci are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
The March 31 preliminary hearing cleared the way for the case to move forward in the Westmoreland County court system.
