Gold Coast lawyer says alleged Mongols boss arrested over Shane Bowden murder ‘bewildered’ by charge

The man arrested for the murder of bikie enforcer Shane Bowden is “bewildered” by the charge after his arrest in front of his children, his lawyer says.

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A MAN arrested for the murder of bikie enforcer Shane Bowden is “bewildered” by the charge after his arrest in front of his children, his lawyer says.

Ian Robert Crowden, 46, was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday eight months after the execution-style killing of Bowden in his garage driveway on the Gold Coast.

Crowden’s lawyer Michael Gatenby said his client - arrested at a Chuwah property in Brisbane - was “bewildered” by the charge.

Shane Bowden arrives at the Southport courts. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“He was at home with his family and more than a dozen police cars arrived in front of his children,” Mr Gatenby said. “He cooperated to the extent that he went with police.

“I’ve spent much of the morning with him discussing how to best defend the matter and discussing his options in relation to bail.

“We’re waiting for investigating police to disclose to us the proper basis for his charges.

“But presently he’s bewildered that’s he’s been charged with it and denies absolutely any involvement.”

Mr Gatenby said his client had not assisted police with their investigation and did not propose to.

Bowden’s ex-partner Trudi McPhee said: “I am very happy to see progress in Shane’s murder. I still believe more arrests will come.”

Police will allege Crowden is the president of the Brisbane West chapter of the notorious Mongols bikie gang and “counseled, directed and financed” the hit on Bowden.

Police analyse the crime scene at the Pimpama home. Picture by Richard Gosling

South Eastern Police Regional Crime Coordinator, Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith alleged: “This murder charge also carries a certain sense of aggravation in that he’s a member of a (bikie) gang.

“He’s not the trigger man. As more evidence comes to light we will take further action.

“We believe it’s a Mongols related hit. It relates to the relationship between Mr Bowden and that club.

“There are a number of motives for that but it’s clearly a club-sanctioned hit.”

He would not confirm whether further arrests could be expected soon.

“This is the perfect opportunity for those that were involved or on the fringe of this matter to take advantage (and come forward),” he said.

“They need to think long and hard about their families.”

Mr Bowden was killed by hooded gunmen in the driveway of his Pimpama home in October 2020.

South Eastern Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith. Picture Glenn Hampson

He had been a Mongols member before defecting to the rival Finks gang.

CCTV footage released by police last month revealed GPS tracking devices were placed on his car by two men shortly before the shooting.

The two men in the footage have not been arrested, and police would not confirm whether they had been identified.

The Bulletin has previously revealed police intel suggested tensions between the Finks and Mongols in the wake of Bowden’s murder.

Mr Smith said he didn’t believe the arrest would escalate tensions further.

“I think the Finks would be sitting back going, ‘Great’,” he said.

“Anyone who is against this sort of crime should be celebrating our success.”

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Originally published as Gold Coast lawyer says alleged Mongols boss arrested over Shane Bowden murder ‘bewildered’ by charge