Man charged after six arrested over attempted hit on ex-Mongols bikie Sam Abdulrahim

Two suspects hastily organised tickets, false passports and left the country 48 hours after the failed execution of gangland figure Sam ­Abdulrahim, police believe.

Two suspects in the failed execution of gangland figure Sam ­Abdulrahim are believed to have used false passports to flee Melbourne.

Police confirmed the pair was overseas as they made a wave of arrests of young men and a woman under investigation for allegedly having roles in the Fawkner ambush of Abdulrahim.

The fugitives hastily organised tickets and left, probably on false passports, within 48 hours of the attack on the kickboxer known as “The Punisher”.

Detective Inspector Mark Hatt, of the armed crime squad, said: “We know who they are, we know where they are. And we will be bringing them back in due course to face justice.”

Former Mongols bikie gang member Abdulrahim was shot eight times as he sat in his Mercedes-Benz after his cousin’s funeral on June 25.

Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulramin. Picture: Instagram

One of those arrested on Monday, 18-year-old Yasir Al Qassim, of Epping, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court where his lawyer said they planned to apply for bail.

In a brief administrative hearing that lasted less than a minute, the court heard his case would be adjourned to Friday for such an application to take place.

Magistrate Timothy Bourke told Mr Al Qassim it was a “smart move” to delay the application to the end of the week as it “allows the lawyers to get some materials organised in support of a bail application”.

Sporting a mask and wearing a grey jumper with matching tracksuit pants, he sat quietly in the dock, flanked by custody officers.

Charge sheets released from the court allege Mr Al Qassim is charged with the attempted murder of Mr Abdulrahim in Fawkner on June 25.

On the same day, he is accused of stealing two cars: a grey Mazda CX9, valued at $46,000, in Fawkner, and a white Mazda CX8, valued at $30,000, from Epping.

A month later on July 24, he allegedly stole a white Volkswagen Golf, valued at $25,000, in Epping, and drove while on a suspended licence on Whitelight Avenue.

He is also accused of being a non-prohibited person in possession of a registered category A longarm without a firearms licence; and possessing a category E handgun “other than for the purpose of collecting”.

It was noted on his custody file that he was vulnerable because of his “youth” and that it was his first time in custody.

An 18-year-old Epping man is arrested. Picture: Victoria Police

An 18-year-old Lalor man is arrested. Picture: Victoria Police

Others arrested were a Lalor man, 18, Meadow Heights woman, 20, a Meadow Heights man, 24, a Docklands man, 20, and a Greenvale man, 19.

These five were released without charge pending further inquiries.

Raids were carried out from 8.30am at homes in ­Epping, Lalor, Craigieburn, Meadow Heights, Docklands and Greenvale.

A car is seized as part of arrests over the shooting of Sam Abdulrahim. Picture: Victoria Police

Police make seizures during the arrests over the shooting of Sam Abdulrahim. Picture: Victoria Police

A silver Subaru seized at Craigieburn is believed to be the same vehicle in CCTV video recently released by police, which also showed a man buying petrol containers at a Bunnings warehouse.

Inspector Hatt said the arrests followed an exhaustive two-month inquiry.

“I will make it clear that this investigation is far from over,” he said.

“I know this shooting and subsequent carjacking caused significant community concern, as is often the case when we see incidents of significant violence play out so publicly.

“I want to assure people that police are doing everything we can to hold all of those involved in this incident to account, no matter what role they may have played.”

The ex-Mongols bikie was ambushed at a funeral.

Armed Crime Squad detectives released images and CCTV of two men they were hoped could help with their inquiries.

Abdulrahim, 30, was lucky to survive the gunfire. At one stage he was in a critical condition with damage to his liver, kidneys and lungs.

As they fled the shooting, the would-be killers ploughed their Mazda SUV into a fire hydrant and pole on Box Forest Rd, near Sydney Rd

One man tried to hide in a bin at the back of a fast food restaurant in Sydney Rd.

A second man from the Mazda carjacked a Ford Territory wagon from a family nearby before driving it to Brunswick Drive, Epping, at about 10pm. He was then captured on CCTV in the street.

Police released CCTV and images of two men seen in the area soon after the shooting and carjacking, and a black Ford Fiesta detectives believe is connected to the shooting.