Three Finks bikies arrested after investigation into alleged Eltham extortion racket

A senior patched Finks bikie was bailed and three others remanded in custody after a late night court appearance after allegedly threatening to burn down an Eltham business.

Three Finks bikies are among four men arrested over an Echo taskforce investigation into an alleged Eltham extortion racket. Picture: Victoria Police

A senior patched member of the Finks OMCG was bailed after being arrested over an Echo taskforce investigation into an alleged Eltham extortion racket.

Three other men, including a patched member, sergeant of arms and an associate of the outlaw motorcycle gang, were remanded in custody.

All four men, with links to the Finks Motorcycle Gang, were charged with extortion, among other infractions.

• Derrick Harley, 34, was charged with possessing a firearm, cocaine and steroids, and was served a firearms prohibition order.

He remanded with no application for bail presented and is next scheduled to appear in court on October 6.

• Hussein Dehaini, 30, was charged for possessing a firearm, proceeds of crime and failing to provide mobile phone access.

Detectives from the Echo Taskforce arrest an Ascot Vale man. Picture: Victoria Police

There was no capacity to hear a bail application for Dehaini who will face court on July 10.

The court heard was as an “unacceptable risk” and likey the “principal offender” in the matter.

• Bradley Candy, 36, was charged with possession of cannabis and GHB and was remanded.

He is scheduled to appear before court on October 6.

• Ozgur Oral, 43, appeared before court via video link, dressed in a red jacket and with his hands folded in his lap as he waited to hear the outcome of his bail application.

Mr Oral was bailed and allowed to return home with specific conditions, including refraining from speaking “directly or indirectly” with anyone associated with the Finks Motorcycle Gang.

Judge Andrew McKenna presiding told the court that bailing Mr Oral was an acceptable risk, alluding to his role in the Finks Motorcycle Gang as the only caveat.

“The main thing against him is his involvement, and said to be a high level, in the Finks Motorcycle Gang,” he said.

“Material suggests it can be an organisation which behaves unlawfully at times.”

Mr Oral was also told not to enter the suburb of Eltham and will also face court later this year, on October 6.

Members of the VIPER taskforce were involved in Friday’s arrest over the alleged extortion of an Eltham business owner last week.

The men are alleged to have turned up in Finks gear and threatened to burn down his Main Rd convenience store if he did not close.

Early morning search warrants have been carried out at homes in Dallas, Docklands, Wallan, Ascot Vale and Langwarrin, as well as at a Brunswick East clubhouse.

A Victoria Police statement said a handgun, ammunition and a “significant quantity of cash” were seized from the Ascot Vale address.

The statement said the 34-year-old Docklands man was in Langwarrin where he was hit with capsicum spray after becoming aggressive.

The Docklands man was also served with a firearm prohibition order.

A shotgun, ammunition and what appeared to be cocaine and steroids were allegedly found at a Langwarrin address.

“Police have been told four men, one wearing Finks OMCG colours, entered the store shortly before midday,” the taskforce statement said.

“It is believed one of the men struck up a conversation about the store with the owner, before another threatened to burn the store down if the victim didn’t close his business. The victim refused, and the men left the premises.”

Detectives from the Echo Taskforce arrest a Dallas man. Picture: Victoria Police

Speaking generally, detective acting Inspector Ashley Ryan of Echo taskforce said: “If you are involved in organised criminal activity of any nature, you will be detected and you will be held accountable. It is frankly as simple as that,” he said.

“I’d also like to remind members of the community that when incidents like this one do take place, we will thoroughly investigate, and those involved will be held to account.”

Investigators want to speak to anyone who has knowledge of the incident or has CCTV or dashcam footage of what happened.

Anyone able to help can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website crimestoppersvic.com.au.