The suspect is alleged to have assaulted the officer, a member of the Dakota Ojibway Police Service, in an attack that began in the lobby of the bar of the strip club and continued outside. Police said the attack continued after the officer fell to the ground. (Sun Media)

WINNIPEG -- A Winnipegger with ties to the Hells Angels bike gang has been charged in connection with the strip club beating of an off-duty cop.

Raymond Bruce Brown, 43, who, police said, has ties to the outlaw biker group, was charged with aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer after the 26-year-old cop, a member of the Dakota Ojibway Police Service, was assaulted at Teaser's Burlesque Cabaret on Archibald Street about 2:20 a.m. Saturday.

VERBAL DISPUTE

Police said the officer and several friends were exiting the club when a verbal dispute started between them, security staff and other parties present.

The suspect is alleged to have assaulted the officer, in an attack that began in the lobby of the bar and continued outside, causing serious but non-life threatening injuries. Police said the attack continued after the officer fell to the ground. The victim was treated in hospital for head injuries and released, police said.

"It does certainly sound like the individual targeted the victim because it was learned that he was a police officer," said Winnipeg Police Service public information officer Const. Jason Michalyshen.

Brown has been detained in custody.

In 2002, Brown, whom police then described as a Hells Angels associate, was charged in relation to another vicious barroom assault, at the now-defunct Bumpers Bar at 1740 Ellice Ave. In that attack, police said the 36-year-old victim was punched, kicked and struck several times with a claw hammer.