CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Four members of the Avengers motorcycle gang were arrested after one of them reportedly shot at plainclothes West Virginia State Police troopers Wednesday in Raleigh County.

State Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Baylous said three undercover troopers of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation were following four members of the gang to conduct surveillance at about 3 p.m. on W.Va. 3 near Harper when the gang members got behind the troopers and started making threatening gestures.

Baylous said one of the bikers allegedly pulled a gun as the motorcycles passed the troopers in their vehicle. He said the troopers again got ahead of the motorcycles, stopped and pulled out their badges, but one of the bikers turned around and shot at the troopers as they rode past.

That man then wrecked his motorcycle before jumping on the back of another bike and speeding away, Baylous said.

Baylous said two of the suspects were caught a short time later in a truck, and the other two were found hiding at a nearby house.

Police believe Thomas Glenn Speck, 34, of Lapeer, Mich., is the one who shot at the troopers, Baylous said. Speck was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment, being a felon in possession of a firearm, fleeing on a vehicle and being a fugitive from justice.

The other three men are from West Virginia.

Delmer Lee Cozart, 51, of Beckley, was charged with being an accessory after the fact for wanton endangerment and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Clyde Richard Frank, 55, of Harper, was charged with being an accessory after the fact for wanton endangerment.

James David Morris, 33, of Eccles, was charged with being an accessory after the fact for wanton endangerment, carrying a concealed weapon and fleeing on a vehicle.

All four men were being held in the Southern Regional Jail Thursday morning awaiting arraignment.

Baylous said federal charges might be filed against them.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.