Authorities See An Increase In Irish Mob Gang Members

Some counties around the metro say they are seeing an increase in gang activity, and it's in the most unlikely of places.

Law enforcement in Canadian County said they've noticed a trend, but it's not just localized to this one county. This particular gang started in Tulsa.

"We have a number of them in our county jail," Canadian County Undersheriff Chris West said.

Some of the most recent associations are John Rather and Robert Bugos.

Police were called to a convenience store just outside Calumet when the vehicle the two men were driving around in broke down, but deputies would soon find out they were much more than stranded motorists.

When one of them pulled a gun on the deputy, he soon found out Rather was wanted for murder.

Both men were booked into jail for drugs and using a firearm while committing a felony. There are also some other connections including area burglaries.

"One of the gangs that we've identified that's been involved in some of that activity in our county is what's called the IMG or the Irish mob gang," West said.

Investigators said the group originated in Tulsa which is the area where Rather and Bugos are from, and Canadian County authorities said this isn't their first run in with possible members.

"In the last several weeks, we've made arrests north of Piedmont from a number of them," West said. "There was actually a stolen gun that was recovered, as well as a stolen vehicle."

Investigators say the Irish mob gang started in west Tulsa off of 33rd West Avenue. They wear the color green, shamrocks and especially like jerseys with Larry Bird's old number 33.

However, one the most notable signs is a shamrock tattoo. The group is also believed to be heavily involved in drugs.

"We made several different raids, and I believe we got some IMG members out of that," West said.

In addition, detectives say the group organizes scams or burglaries to support drug habits.

"They get strung out on meth and heroin and are constantly doing burglaries, stolen property, things like that," Sgt. Sean Larkin, of the Tulsa Police Department Gang Unit, said.  

"We're not saying this to startle anybody, but this is just information for the public to be aware," West said.