Detectives from the Echo Taskforce have this morning arrested six men – all believed to be patched members of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – as part of their investigation into an incident believed to be linked to the club in Bendigo.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, Bendigo Divisional Response Unit and Western Region Crime Squad, eight warrants were executed at seven residential addresses in Kennington (3), Epsom (2), California Gully and White Hills as well as a clubhouse in Long Gully early this morning.
A total of six men, all believed to be patched members of the Rebels OMCG, were arrested, including:
• A 41-year-old Kennington man who was charged with aggravated home invasion, intentionally cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, intentionally cause injury, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, affray and possessing prohibited weapons;
• A 30-year-old Epsom man who was charged with aggravated home invasion, intentionally cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, intentionally cause injury, affray and possess steroids;
• A 25-year-old Epsom man who was charged with aggravated home invasion, intentionally cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, intentionally cause injury, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and affray;
• A 29-year-old Kennington man who was charged with aggravated home invasion, intentionally cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, intentionally cause injury, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, affray and possessing prescription medication without a prescription; and,
• A 62-year-old White Hills man and a 29-year-old California Gully man who were both interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
The four men charged have been remanded to appear before Bendigo Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (7 November).
Six mobile phones, a flick knife and various prescription medications were seized from a Kennington address.
A white ISUZU ute and vials of what appear to be steroids were seized from one Epsom address, while knives and three samurai swords were seized from another Kennington address.
A Holden Commodore ute was seized from a White Hills address, and four mobile phones, a baseball bat and a machete were seized from the Long Gully property.
This morning’s activity follows an incident in Golden Square on New Years’ Eve where two men were seriously assaulted.
The men, then aged 28 and 25, were allegedly followed by a convoy of vehicles to an address on Laurel Street.
It will be alleged that a number of armed men entered the property, before chasing those inside the premises up the street.
The 28-year-old fled on foot and was subsequently located on Allingham Street suffering serious injuries from an alleged assault. He was conveyed to hospital.
The 25-year-old man got back into his ute and was allegedly followed by a number of people travelling in the convoy of vehicles.
He left the vehicle and it is believed he was then followed by a number of people before he was seriously assaulted.
The two men who lived at the property were uninjured, however the window, front door and fence of their house were damaged.
The motivation for the assault is still yet to be determined, however it’s believed some of the parties are known to each other.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
