Detectives from the Echo Taskforce are appealing for public assistance as part of their investigation into two incidents believed to be linked to the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in Bendigo.
The first incident occurred in Golden Square on New Years’ Eve where two men were seriously assaulted.
It’s believed two men, then aged 28 and 25, were travelling in a white Holden Rodeo ute along Specimen Hill Road about 4.20pm on 31 December, 2022. Police believe a man on a dirt bike spots their vehicle, and a convoy of vehicles then begins following them.
It’s believed one of the cars, a dark coloured Holden station wagon, rammed the ute at a roundabout where Laurel Street, Breen Street, Allingham Street and Bellevue Road all intersect.
Both vehicles have then continued down Laurel Street towards High Street.
Investigators have been told a woman arrives in a black Renault Koleos and begins clearing up the strewn ramming damage from the offending vehicles. She subsequently leaves the scene.
The ute then parked outside an address on Laurel Street and the two men went inside.
About 30 minutes later, five vehicles including a white Nissan Patrol, a red Holden ute, a red Mazda 3, a white dual cab ute and a white Isuzu DMAX ute with a business name on the driver’s side door pulled up outside the address.
Police have been told up to 15 men armed with an array of weapons including bats and knives entered the property.
The group managed to enter by smashing a window and the four occupants of the house, including the two men who had been in the ute, fled.
It’s believed a number of the group chased the occupants of the house up the street.
The two men who lived at the property were uninjured, however the window, front door and fence of their house were damaged.
The 28-year-old man was subsequently located on Allingham Street suffering serious injuries from an assault.
Family members subsequently conveyed him to hospital.
The 25-year-old man got back into his ute and was chased by a number of people travelling in the convoy of four vehicles.
While on High Street, they went through a red light at the intersection of Oak Street and the ute and one of the cars, a red Mazda, were involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle.
All three cars were damaged, however no one was physically injured during the collision.
The ute and the Mazda took off from the scene with the ute subsequently crashing into a ditch on Panton Street.
The 25-year-old man was chased by a number of people and then seriously assaulted.
The group then returned to their vehicles and left the area.
A number of witnesses called triple zero (000) and the victim was conveyed to hospital with serious injuries.
The red Mazda was later found dumped on McLaughlin Street and the driver has been described as a male aged in his late teens or early 20s, average height, thin build, fair complexion and black or brown hair.
Police have been told he got into a white 4WD after leaving the Mazda, with the male driver of the 4WD described as being in his 20s.
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 second incident occurred in Long Gully on 17 June where a man was seriously assaulted.
It’s believed the 32-year-old man had been at a licensed premises in Bendigo on the night of 16 June and had been speaking with two women.
The man then attended outside the Rebels OMCG clubhouse on Havilah Street just after midnight and a verbal confrontation took place.
It’s believed the man was then physically assaulted by a group of men outside the clubhouse.
He later left on foot and was subsequently sighted by patrolling police, who conveyed him to hospital with significant injuries including fractures to his spine and skull.
Detectives from the Echo Taskforce are investigating and believe that a number of offenders were involved in both assaults.
The incidents are otherwise not believed to be linked.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed either assault or has any further information about those involved.
This information can also be provided to police anonymously.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
