Bikie strongman charged over drive-by shooting of Finks boss Brent Reker
A bikie strongman has been charged over the drive-by shooting and firebombing of the home of Finks boss Brent “BJ” Reker. The bikie-busting task force made the breakthrough two years after Reker’s Frankston home was sprayed with bullets.
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A bikie strongman has been charged over the drive-by shooting and firebombing of Finks boss Brent “BJ” Reker’s home in 2018.
The Herald Sun can reveal Rebels enforcer Matthew Bruce was charged with the violent incident almost two years on after a suppression order concealing his identity was lifted on Thursday.
In a major breakthrough for bikie-busting Echo detectives, Bruce faces multiple firearm offences and reckless conduct endangering life after he allegedly sprayed Reker’s Frankston home with bullets while his wife and two-week-old baby were inside.
Bruce is also accused of torching the Finks national president’s car during the alleged attack.
The May 31 shooting hit headlines at the time with police fearing an escalation in bikie-related warfare.
Reker was not injured in the attack, but later died in jail while awaiting trial for a vicious assault.
A coronial investigation is still under way after the 35-year-old was found dead in his prison cell at Ravenhall Correctional Facility in December last year.
Reker and his co-accused were set to face trial over an alleged aggravated home invasion at the property of a man that Reker believed was involved in posting naked photos of a woman online.
The Herald Sun last month revealed Reker was in negotiations with the Finks to exit the club, find legitimate work and had even began getting his tattoos removed at the time of his death.
It is understood Reker feared for his family’s safety following the shooting and had armed himself with a gun for protection.
The charges, laid last month, gave some comfort to his family who spent years troubled by the drive-by attack with no charges laid for almost two years.
Bruce, who has held the position of Sergeant-at-Arms at the Rebels motorcycle club, was charged with a series of offences last month including discharge a firearm at premises, reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire, prohibited person possess firearm, and theft of motor vehicle over the shooting.
He will face a filing hearing on Tuesday.
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