Steve Mate arrested after allegedly firing 30 rounds into family home in Mt Druitt
Thirty-year-old Steve Mate was charged with directing criminal activities and firing at a Mount Druitt home in an alleged bikie-related attack.
A man has fronted court over a drive-by shooting in Sydney’s west that saw more than 30 rounds fired into a home earlier this year.
Whalan resident Steve Mate, 30, faced Mt Druitt Local Court on Tuesday after being charged with knowingly direct activities of a criminal group, firing a firearm at a house in course of an organised criminal activity, and driving a motor vehicle on the road during a disqualification period.
At 1.15am on May 9, a day before Mate’s birthday, police were called to Frank St in Mount Druitt after reports a property had been peppered with rifle fire moments after alleged bikie Taniela Moekiola arrived to visit relatives.
There were 11 people inside at the time but no one was injured.
It’s believed Moekiola was the intended target, with the same house having been shot at in 2021 when he was present.
The May shooting was referred to State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, who on Monday moved to arrest a suspect.
About 9.30am Monday, detectives and Raptor Squad officers attempted to stop a vehicle on Caloola Ave, Cambridge Park, but the driver allegedly took off, prompting a short pursuit that was terminated for safety reasons.
Roughly an hour later, officers - assisted by Polair and the Dog Squad - attended a home in Rooty Hill, where they arrested Mate.
He was taken to Mt Druitt Police station and charged.
In court on Tuesday, Mate’s lawyer didn’t apply for bail on her client’s behalf and the court heard Mate did not want to appear on audio visual link despite his family members attending to support him.
No pleas were entered in court today.
Mate will remain on remand and is due to appear before Penrith Local Court on January 23.
