Five charged over bikie-linked murder of Robert Issa in Melbourne carpark

Police have charged five men over the gangland-style execution of Robert Issa in a shopping centre carpark, but say the alleged masterminds remain at large.

Five people have been charged almost two years on from the bikie-linked fatal shooting of Robert Issa in a Melbourne shopping centre car park.

Mr Issa, 27, had been sitting in a white Mercedes in Craigieburn Central shopping centre car park when gunmen sprayed the car with bullets, killing Mr Issa and wounding his friend Eric Catanese in early October 2023.

A burnt out Black Range Rover was found in the nearby suburb Westmeadows a short time later.

Homicide Squad on Thursday arrested five men as part of their investigation into the fatal shooting of Robert Issa in a Craigieburn carpark in 2023. Picture: Supplied

On Thursday morning, Victoria Police took a 29-year-old Kew man, a 31-year-old Mickleham man, a 33-year-old Pascoe Vale man and two 26-year-old Fawkner men into custody.

Following interviews, all five men were charged with murder, attempted murder and criminal damage by fire.

The reasons behind Mr Issa’s killing remain unclear.

However, he was thought to be closely associated with a figure linked to the Comanchero bikie gang, who was suspected of playing a role in a string of retaliatory firebombings targeting businesses and residences throughout Melbourne, the Herald Sun reported.

Robert ‘Rony’ Issa was shot and killed at Craigieburn Central shopping centre in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Five people have now been charged over the death of 27-year-old Robert Issa. Picture: Supplied

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said on Thursday the men arrested were likely only “foot soldiers” and those responsible for planning the attack remained at large.

“We believe these men were likely the foot soldiers who carried out the murder, but we believe there are also people further up the chain who are responsible for ordering this attack,” he said.

“This shooting was incredibly violent and it played out in a shopping centre carpark in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday.”

Detective Inspector Thomas said despite the arrests, the investigation was not over.

“We will do everything we can to hold accountable every single person involved in this shooting,” he said.

“You know you are part of that chain, now is the time for you to come and speak to us, because this may be your last opportunity.”

The five men were due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.

Originally published as Five charged over bikie-linked murder of Robert Issa in Melbourne carpark