Top Rebels bikie accused of abducting, torturing man over drug debt
A SENIOR Victorian bikie is behind bars on remand, accused of kidnapping and torturing a man over a drug debt.
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A SENIOR Victorian bikie is behind bars on remand, accused of kidnapping and torturing a man over a drug debt.
Rebels bikie gang sergeant-at-arms Chris Patris and four associates face charges of trying to extort $13,000.
The Herald Sun understands police discovered what was going on while pursuing another investigation.
They called in the Special Operations Group, which rescued a man, bound with cable ties, from a house in Georgetown Way in Officer.
They also arrested a woman and four men, including Mr Patris, at the scene on Wednesday night.
Mr Patris, 46, of Officer, was charged on Thursday with possession of a pistol, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and intentionally and recklessly causing injury.
His co-accused, believed to be Rebels associates, are Nicholas Reed, Brett Audsley, Joshua Saint Mart and Annie Whitbourne.
All five faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. None of them applied for bail and all were remanded to reappear in court on August 8.
“It was a serious kidnapping,” a police source told the Herald Sun.
“We had a job running and this young bloke was kidnapped for a drug debt — allegedly a drug debt — held hostage with cable ties and other things,” the source said.
“We come across these crimes quite often — where the victim is unco-operative.
“They might be kidnapped, held hostage, assaulted — and, for whatever reason, they won’t proceed.
“We actually had other evidence to support that, so we could proceed with these charges,” the source said.
“The victim in this matter was quite shocked.
“He was quite anxious and hurt pretty bad.”
The Rebels is the largest of the state’s outlaw bikie gangs.
Mr Patris, who has a shaved head, appeared in court wearing a blue and grey jumper.
He was calm as he sat flanked by two security guards.
Mr Audsley bore signs of a recent injury to his head.
Mr Reed and Mr Saint Mart both said they would require treatment for depression while they were in custody.