Police investigating Rebels bikies swoop on properties across Melbourne
A teenage boy has been charged with a raft of serious offences including making death threats and carjacking with a gun after police swooped properties linked to the Rebels Motorcycle Club, netting weapons and drugs.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A teenage boy was among several people charged on Tuesday after police raided properties linked to the Rebels Motorcycle Club, netting weapons and drugs.
Police swooped on homes in Brookfield, Kurunjang, Aintree, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Essendon and Sunshine from 5.30am.
A shotgun, ammunition, three allegedly stolen motorcycles, prohibited weapons and cannabis were seized, and seven men were charged, including a 15-year-old boy.
WHY MEN REALLY JOIN BIKIE GANGS
DEADLY POWER VACUUM THAT WEAKENED REBELS
Five faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last night charged with a range of offences, including blackmail and extortion.
Hamish Stojkovic, 26, Robert Figota, 28, Luke Kneale, 28 and Jerome Ah Soon, 28, were remanded in custody after a brief appearance and are due to reappear today.
Eliseko Seko, 28, was denied bail and also is due to front court again today.
His lawyer Daniella Markotich told the court it was Mr Seko’s first time in custody and said he should be granted bail because the case could face a lengthy delay of up to 18 months.
But Magistrate Barry Schultz did not find there were exceptional circumstances that would warrant Mr Seko’s bail, and remanded him in custody.
The teenage boy was due to face the Children’s Court accused of extortion, make threats to kill, aggravated carjacking with a gun and blackmail.
A 70-year-old Sunshine West male received a caution for possessing a drug of dependence.
Detective Superintendent Peter Brigham said the arrests were significant in disrupting outlaw bikie gangs and keeping the community safe.
“This is a group we know have traditionally been involved in violent crimes, such as shootings, as well as serious assaults, arson, drug trafficking and extortion,” he said.
“Their behaviour is often targeted at other entities or rival groups, however has the potential to incur enormous harm on the community and put the public at significant risk.
“Those who use violence or intimidation to commit crimes and bring harm to the community need to understand that they will find themselves the subject of intense focus by Victoria Police.”
The raids, carried out by bikie busters Taskforce Echo and the National Anti-Gangs squad, were part of a wider probe into the Rebels, which has led to several charges against members in January, February and March.
The charges include possession of a traffickable quantity of firearms, traffic large commercial quantity of methyl amphetamine, arson, cultivate cannabis, discharge a firearm at premises, reckless conduct endangering life, burglary and reckless conduct endangering life.
Police say they continue to monitor the business interests of bikies to make sure they are not funding their crimes.