Finks bikies clubhouse targeted in series of arson attacks
A bikie gang who’ve been busy recruiting members from other outlaw groups had their clubhouse in Cranbourne and supplements store in Frankston targeted in a series of arson attacks.
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An outlaw bikie gang which was targeted in a series of suspected arson attacks on Thursday has gone on a massive recruitment drive in recent months.
The Herald Sun can reveal senior figures from the Finks bikie gang have been recruiting young thugs from the Mongrel Mob street gang.
Properties linked to the Finks, including a clubhouse and supplements store in Melbourne’s southeast, went up in flames early Thursday morning.
Victoria Police’s anti-bikie Echo taskforce has been monitoring the recruitment drive by the Finks in recent months.
While the Finks - which now has 2000 members - are recruiting from the Mongrel Mob, the rival Rebels bikie gang has also been recruiting heavily from another street gang – Black Power.
Both the Mongrel Mob and Black Power originate from New Zealand but have established themselves in Melbourne. They have a presence in the western and southeastern suburbs.
“The last six to 12 months we have seen a big push by the Finks and Rebels to recruit … We have seen the Finks and Rebels approach the leaders of both these groups,” Detective Inspector Graham Banks, Echo’s boss, told the Herald Sun.
“They have been quite active. Inviting them to club nights to try and identify who they think are most aligned to how they operate.
“They are looking for ones who have a propensity for violence.
“The model is from the Comancheros.
“They (Comancheros) set a bar of violence several years ago. We have addressed that with (the Comancheros). They (Finks and Rebels) are trying to mirror that.
“Each club is trying to bolster its numbers and they will resort to acts of violence.”
The clubhouse, supplements store and car were set alight on Wednesday night and yesterday morning.
The clubhouse, on Morialta Rd in Cranbourne West, was attacked at 1.30am.
Witnesses reported an explosion before the building went up in flames, causing extensive damage.
Police said no one was inside at the time.
Earlier that night police were called to a fire at a supplements store on Nepean Highway in Frankston.
The report was made about 11pm.
Ten minutes later police found a car on fire in Brunel Rd in Seaford.
Two men, believed to be masked, were seen running from the car into a nearby reserve.
Police searched the area but did not find any suspects.
Echo detectives and arson experts combed the scenes for clues yesterday.
Police have not established a motive for the fires at this stage.
Investigators seized CCTV hard drives of businesses in Morialta Rd.
The footage shows two cars, including a four-wheel drive, in the street for about 15 minutes before firefighters arrive.
The front roller door of the clubhouse was blown off its railings.
The suspicious attacks come after months of tension and violence involving the Finks.
The Cranbourne West clubhouse was raided by police in January following the shooting of Mongols bikie, Rocco Curr a, in Bulleen last August.
Senior Finks member Sione Hokafonu and co-accused Ali Hussein were each charged with attempted murder over the shooting.
The same clubhouse was raided again last month as part of a guns and carjacking probe.
The Finks and Mongols have been at loggerheads since last year.
Anyone with information about the fires is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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