Police charge seven more over bikie Shane Bowden death

Detectives have charged another seven men over the shooting murder of bikie enforcer Shane Bowden and say they have “decimated” a whole chapter of the Mongols bikie gang.

Detectives have charged another seven men over the shooting murder of bikie enforcer Shane Bowden and say they have “decimated” a whole chapter of the Mongols bikie gang.

Police raided homes in Pimpama, Redland Bay, Underwood, Upper Coomera, Helensvale and Wanora, arresting the men on Sunday.

It follows the police arresting Ian Ronald Crowden, 46, on Saturday and charging him with murder.
Crowden is the president of the Brisbane West Mongols chapter.

His lawyer said yesterday Crowden was “bewildered” by the charge, and denied any involvement in the shooting.

Bowden was shot 21 times in the garage of his Pimpama home after a late-night gym session in October.

Shane Bowden

He was originally a member of the Finks before patching over to the Mongols and moving to Victoria. He survived a shooting upon his release from jail, left the Mongols and returned to Queensland. He had rejoined the Finks at the time of his death.

Police today said a 41-year-old Underwood man, a 29-year-old Underwood man, a 35-year-old Upper Coomera man, a 25-year-old Upper Coomera man, a 23-year-old Helensvale man, a 29-year-old Redland Bay man and a 29-year-old Pimpama man have all been charged with ‘murder – serious organised crime’.

Police charge another seven men over the shooting death of bikie enforcer Shane Bowden.

They are all due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow.

A 37-year-old Wanora man was also arrested and charged with unlawful possession of category H weapon and is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on July 29.

Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said the arrests were a significant step towards dismantling bikie gangs.

Police arrest men over the shooting of bikie enforcer Shane Bowden

“These arrests have decimated a whole chapter of the Mongols OMCG,” Detective Superintendent Smith said.

“The numbers involved are unprecedented and will be nationally significant.

“It points to the true nature of these gangs but importantly the ability of law enforcement to break their so-called loyalty and code of silence and bring them to justice.

“The murder of Shane Bowden involved significant planning by those involved resulting in a long and complicated investigation, but the dedication of the investigative team and our specialised units has borne fruit.

“The community can be assured that police have the ability to tackle organised crime groups regardless of their so-called sophistication.”

Supt Smith said five of the men were from the West Brisbane chapter of the Mongols, including its sergeant-at-arms and vice president. The other two men were from the Gold Coast chapter of the Mongols, he said.

He said there were still a number of people who were persons of interest in the murder investigation.

Supt Smith said police will allege the men arrested on Sunday include the two shooters, the getaway driver, and other people involved in the planning.

He said police believe they have apprehended “the core players at this stage but there are other people on the fringe”.

“Just because you are not the shooter, if you helped in the planning or the execution of this offence, you are culpable for murder, just like you pulled the trigger,” he said.

Supt Smith said the men were not co-operating with the investigation but he said police were confident in the material officers had gathered. Police are yet to find the weapon used in the murder.

Police have appealed for anyone who knows information to contact them to help provide further closure for Mr Bowden’s family.
A $250,000 reward has been offered for anyone who knows about the killing, with an indemnity for people who didn’t commit the murder.

Originally published as Police charge seven more over bikie Shane Bowden death