Alleged tow truck thief opens fire on Hells Angels bikie Peter ‘Skitzo’ Hewat
Hells Angels bikie Peter “Skitzo” Hewat was in hot pursuit of his stolen tow truck when the alleged thief pulled over in Mickleham and opened fire.
Police & Courts
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A gunman opened fire on top Hells Angel bikie Peter “Skitzo” Hewat after a wild break-in at his towing company.
Police have arrested the alleged shooter and seized an assault rifle over a dramatic chain of events which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday.
Three people broke into Hewat’s Craigieburn heavy haulage business at 5.30am on Sunday.
They stole two Kenworth tow trucks but CCTV linked to a security system alerted management of the Technical Drive business.
Both trucks had GPS tracking technology and Hewat pursued one to Mickleham.
It stopped in Rosehill Boulevard where its driver got out and fired two shots at Hewat, who was not injured.
A police helicopter then tracked the second truck to Roxburgh Park where it was intercepted by members from Broadmeadows.
The suspected shooter, a 34-year-old Glenroy man, was arrested on Monday about 4.30pm by the officers from the special operations group.
A raid of his home on Tuesday allegedly uncovered weapons including an AR-15 assault rifle, a World War II Thompson submachine gun, a handgun, a gel blaster handgun and ammunition.
Investigators also seized detonation cords, false registration plates, various amounts of a crystal substance, GHB, methylamphetamine, prescription medication and identification in various names.
Cash, methylamphetamine, 1,4-Butanediol and a round of ammunition were allegedly found in the man’s vehicle when he was arrested.
He was charged with offences including reckless conduct endangering life, using a firearm when a firearm prohibition order applies, possessing a firearm when an FPO applies, two counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail, trafficking methylamphetamine, trafficking 1,4-Butanediol and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 3.
Detective Senior Sergeant Al Rumble, of the bikie-busting Echo Taskforce, said police believe the incident was targeted.
“There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to have these kinds of guns in their possession,” Sen-Sgt Rumble said.
“An AR-15 is exactly what it says it is, an assault rifle. It has no purpose other than to kill and they have been used in numerous mass shooting incidents across the globe. I have no doubt our community is a safer place with these weapons off the streets.
“We will continue to work around the clock to identify, investigate and arrest offenders, putting them before the court to answer for their actions.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Hewat, a formidable veteran of Melbourne’s outlaw motorcycle gang world, is a member of the Hells Angels East County chapter.
He has long been linked to the tow truck industry.
In 2016, one of his associates came under investigation after seven shots were fired at a police facility where one of Hewat’s trucks was being held.
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