Bikie dispute may have triggered murder

The investigation into the murder of Hells Angels associate Kerry Giakoumis has taken a surprising turn after seven people faced “intense questioning”.

A group of Hells Angels bikies and associates arrested for questioning over the suspected murder of South Australian man Kerry Giakoumis have been released.

Six men and a woman were taken into custody early on Thursday amid the intensifying probe into Mr Giakoumis’ death.

None of the individuals were charged over his disappearance.

One man — aged 22 from St Albans — was charged with possessing a drug of dependence while the others were freed pending further investigation.

The St Albans man will face Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on March 4 next year.

The seven people faced intense questioning by detectives determined to return Mr Giakoumis’ remains to his family 15 months on from his sudden disappearance.

They are certain he was dumped in or near Jackson Creek in Diggers Rest and will continue searching the area.

Earlier, Detective Superintendent Paul O’Halloran said he believed the individuals know what happened to Mr Giakoumis and are being intensely questioned in the hope they finally provide some answers.

“I’m confident the people in custody and other people including associates, family members and work colleagues of the people we have arrested know what happened to Kerry,” he said.

“I implore those people to look deep within themselves and provide information to us so we can bring Kerry’s remains back to his family and resolve this matter.”

Last month police divers began scouring Jackson’s Creek in Diggers Rest after receiving information that Mr Giakoumis was dumped there.

Homicide detectives and police divers searched a river near Melbourne for Kerry Giakoumis’ body.

Det Supt O’Halloran said the taskforce is confident the tip is correct and will keep scouring the area for his remains.

Items including gym equipment were seized from the gang’s Lipton Drive clubhouse earlier this week.

Det Supt O’Halloran would not comment on what significance they had in the murder inquiry, saying they were still being forensically tested.

“We think Kerry has gotten into a dispute with patched members of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. For one reason or another they have taken offence to that and sadly we believe Kerry has been killed as a result of that,” he said.

“Whether it’s the Hells Angels or any other outlaw motorcycle gang, to me it doesn’t matter. They have no right to breach the law like any other member of the community.

“They haven’t got a right to take the law into their own hands, assault people, traffick drugs and particularly not partake in murders.

“They will be brought to account.”

Taskforce detectives carried out raids across Melbourne on Thursday morning, nabbing six men and one woman.

They include a 44-year-old Keilor Downs man; a 21-year-old West Melbourne man; a 23-year-old Mernda man; a 22-year-old St Albans man; a 26-year-old St Albans man; a 25-year-old Laverton man; and a 46-year-old Diggers Rest woman.

Warrants were executed in Keilor Downs, Mernda, West Melbourne, St Albans, Laverton and Diggers Rest.

Detective Superintendent Paul O’Halloran, said the arrests were a result of a significant 15-month investigation into the whereabouts of the Adelaide man.

“We have been extremely clear that every avenue of inquiry in relation to Kerry’s disappearance will be followed up by investigators,” Detective O’Halloran said.

“Every single new piece of information that comes to us about this investigation – whether this is here in Victoria, in South Australia or elsewhere – will be actively pursued.

“The Hells Angels is a group well known for significant violent offending and on this occasion, it’s left a family without their beloved son and no answers as to why.

“We’ve said previously that investigators are of the strong belief that Kerry has met with foul play and every piece of information we have just supports this.

“I also believe there are likely to be people out there who don’t agree with what has happened to Kerry, and that it went too far. This is your chance to tell us your version of events.”

Other properties were also raided with searches ongoing.

The Hells Angels clubhouse in Thomastown.

Five Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance checks were conducted on FPO holders connected to the Hells Angels in Wantirna South, Epping, Yarra Glen, Roxburgh Park and Berwick.

A 48-year-old Wantirna South man was also arrested in relation to a theft investigation.

Mr Giakoumis travelled from Adelaide to Melbourne on June 5 last year with two members of the South Australian North Crew arm of the Angels.

He was last seen at the Hells Angels clubhouse on Lipton Drive, Thomastown in the early hours of Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Detectives believe a dispute took place on the night Mr Giakoumis was last seen and could be connected to other Hells Angels’ members or associates.

His body has not been found.

Anyone with information about Mr Giakoumis’ disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au