Echo Taskforce probe whether Rebel bikies behind violent gang bashings in Bendigo
Rebels bikies are suspected of being linked to two alleged violent gang bashings in Bendigo, where 15 men armed with bats and knives broke into a house to attack two others.
Police & Courts
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Members of the Rebels bikie outlaw gang are suspected of being linked to two extreme gang bashings in Bendigo.
In both cases, outnumbered victims were brutally assaulted, one in front of the outlaw motorcycle gang’s clubhouse in the central Victorian city.
The anti-bikie Echo Taskforce is investigating the attacks, which left two men in hospital and has released images of vehicles they are seeking.
The most recent victim, a 32-year-old man, was attacked on the night of June 17.
He had spoken to two women at a licenced venue and after leaving went to the Rebels’ headquarters in Havilah St where an argument broke out.
The victim was then set upon by a group of men before staggering off into the night.
He was later spotted by police who took him to hospital where he was found to have fractures to his skull and spine.
Echo is running an inquiry into a separate incident in which two men were chased around the city and bashed.
The ordeal began on New Year’s Eve last year when the victims, 28 and 25, were driving in a white Holden Rodeo on Specimen Hill Rd in Golden Square.
Detectives believe they were spotted by a man on a dirt bike at about 4.20pm before a convoy of vehicles follows them.
One of the cars, a dark Holden station wagon, is alleged to have rammed the Rodeo at the roundabout where Laurel St, Breen St, Allingham St and Bellevue Rd meet.
Police have been told that a woman arrived at the ramming scene in a black Renault Koleos soon after and cleared debris away.
The ute then parked at a home in Laurel St and the men went inside.
About 30 minutes later, a white Nissan Patrol, a red Holden ute, a red Mazda 3, a white dual-cab ute and a white Isuzu D-MAX ute pulled up outside.
Investigators have been told 15 men armed with weapons including bats and knives smashed their way in through a window.
The 28-year-old was later found seriously injured on Allingham St and the 25-year-old was chased by a group travelling in a four-vehicle convoy.
The pursuers drove through a red light on High St and the Mazda smashed into another vehicle.
Police say the ute being chased ran into a ditch on Panton St and its driver was chased and seriously assaulted before the attackers drove away.
He was later taken to hospital.
The driver of the red Mazda, which was later found dumped on McLaughlin St, was described as being in his late-teens or early 20s, of average height with thin build, fair complexion and dark hair.
He got into a white four-wheel-drive being driven by a man in his 20s.
There have been three major violent incidents allegedly involving Rebels in Bendigo in the past 10 months
In June, a victim ended up in hospital with serious injuries after being ambushed by three men.
The Rebels boosted their presence in Bendigo in 2019 when they ran the Satan’s Soldiers outfit out of their clubhouse.
Anyone with information on the New Year’s Eve and June 17 attacks can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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