What could have sparked failed hit on Mongol Rocco Curra
A Finks bikie accused of a shocking failed hit will not be freed, despite attempting to use coronavirus as an excuse. Mongol Rocco Curra was allegedly lured to the ambush with a honey trap, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
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A Finks bikie accused of an attempted hit on a rival Mongols member has lost his bid to use COVID-19 to get out of jail.
Sione Hokafonu, 26, from Clyde North, is charged with the attempted murder of Rocco Curra, who was ambushed while sitting in his car in Bulleen on August 1 last year.
Two gunmen were captured on CCTV jumping from a vehicle and firing 12 shots at Mr Curra, four of which struck him in the head and torso.
Barrister Philip Dunn QC, for Mr Hokafonu, had argued his client should be released on bail as the coronavirus had caused unprecedented delays in his case.
Despite police allegedly having strong evidence including CCTV, phone intercepts and seizing a handgun believed to be used in the shooting in a raid on Mr Hokafonu’s house in December, Mr Dunn said it was a circumstantial case based on assumptions.
He also submitted any risks could be alleviated with strict conditions including a curfew, reporting daily to police, a non-association clause with other bikie members, not driving a vehicle and only having one phone.
A $400,000 surety was also offered.
But magistrate Tara Hartnett refused bail, agreeing with the prosecution that no conditions could ameliorate the risk.
“This is extremely serious offending,” Ms Hartnett said.
She was also not satisfied the delays sparked by the deadly virus met the exceptional circumstances hurdle Mr Hokafonu had to meet, saying if found guilty, he would spend a significant term in prison.
Mr Hokafonu is facing 16 charges, including attempted murder, arson, unlicensed driving, and drugs and weapons offences.
Police had opposed him being released on bail, saying he has a violent criminal history and investigators feared he would interfere with witnesses, commit further offences on bail, and endanger the lives or safety of the public.
Detective Senior Constable Daniel Ruggiero, from the bikie-busting Echo Taskforce, told the court there was ongoing tensions between the Finks and Mongols, and if Mr Hokafonu was freed there could be retribution attacks.
He said the attempt on Mr Curra’s life is believed to have been sparked after Mr Hokafonu was shot in the foot following an attack on another Mongols bikie at the Sporting Globe bar at Fountain Gate in July.
Det Ruggiero said members of the Finks including Hokafonu allegedly assaulted the man, ripping his Mongols jumper from his body.
He said Hokafonu later attended a hospital with a gunshot wound to the foot, which police allege was payback for the assault.
He told the court the shooting on Mr Curra was “planned and callous” and involved setting up a fake Instagram account of an attractive woman to lure Mr Curra to his supposed death.
Mr Curra believed he was picking up the woman from the Bourke St address he parked outside, sending her a message when he pulled up, to which she replied “I’m coming out”.
Within 30 seconds, a stolen silver BMW stopped in front of him, and two men armed with 9mm handguns allegedly climbed out and opened fire.
Mr Curra, 32, miraculously survived, but had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a bullet from his brain.
Mr Hokafonu’s case returns to court on May 26.
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