Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad are hopeful that today’s announcement of a $250,000 reward will assist police in solving their investigation into two firearms incidents at an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang clubhouse in Carrum Downs in 2019.
On Friday, 27 September 2019 a dark-coloured SUV was seen driving past the Outlaws OMCG clubhouse on Titan Drive in Carrum Downs shortly after 7.45pm.
Police believe that a number of shots were fired from this vehicle into the clubhouse, in what appears to be a targeted attack, likely related to increasing tensions between the Outlaws OMCG and Comancheros OMCG.
A number of people were standing outside the property at the time of the incident, however no one was physically injured.
A plain-clothes police unit in an unmarked vehicle was in the area at the time and heard the shooting. They immediately began patrolling the area to ascertain what had happened and make attempts to locate any offenders.
As they drove past the clubhouse, a number of shots were fired at the unmarked police vehicle, by a person likely associated with the Outlaws OMCG.
The two Echo Taskforce detective senior constables inside the car at the time were not physically injured.
At the time of this second shooting, a large number of people and vehicles had gathered outside the Outlaws clubhouse.
The following day, on Saturday, 28 September, 2019, emergency services were called to an incident in a laneway at the western end of Hallam Valley Road in Dandenong South where a dark-coloured Audi Q7 SUV was on fire.
CCTV footage from that area shows the SUV and a silver VW Golf both turning right on to Hallam Valley Road from South Gippsland Highway, shortly before the vehicle was set alight.
The silver VW Golf then left the area and it’s likely the offenders for the vehicle fire were in that car.
Detectives believe that the Audi Q7 SUV is likely to be the same vehicle used in the initial shooting at the Outlaws clubhouse the night before.
It had been stolen from an address in the western suburbs earlier in September 2019.
In January 2020, detectives from the Armed Crime Squad released CCTV of the two vehicles and appealed for information, however no one has been charged in relation to the matter.
Police are re-releasing that CCTV today and urging anyone who recognises the vehicles, or who has any information on the night’s events to come forward.
Investigators are also hopeful that today’s reward announcement provides further motivation for someone with information to speak to police.
A reward of up to $250,000 will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the incidents.
The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Anyone with information about the vehicles or those responsible for the shootings is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Mark Hatt, Armed Crime Squad:
“Given the indiscriminate use of firearms during both these incidents, there was a significant risk of death or serious injury to police and others in the community.
“It is incredibly fortunate that neither of our detective senior constables were physically injured in the shooting. This incident continues to resonate with them almost three years later.
“Although the incidents occurred in a largely industrial area, there were other people living and working in close vicinity at the time who could have been impacted by the shootings.
“The outcome of these events could have been a very different story and over the past two years we’ve pursued a number of avenues of enquiry in an effort to identify those responsible.
“Investigators are hoping that today’s reward announcement will entice someone who has crucial information to come forward, enabling us to solve these crimes.”
“There were numerous people at the clubhouse at the time, all with family, friends and associates. It is likely that they have spoken about the incident. Circumstances change and someone who may not have wanted to provide information to police previously may now feel ready to do so.
“We’re very keen to speak to anyone who might have witnessed the incidents, or who may know the identities of those involved.”
