VIC: Police downplay talk of bikie warfare after car blast

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-1999
VIC: Police downplay talk of bikie warfare after car blast

By Sarah Timms

MELBOURNE, Aug 9 AAP - Police are trying to downplay talk of a biker gang war after a
weekend bomb attack on the Bandidos Motorcycle Club in Geelong and a car explosion this
morning.

This morning's explosion occurred outside the home of a girlfriend of a Bandido club
member, according to the Herald Sun newspaper. Police would not confirm that report.

Residents in the Geelong suburb of Herne Hill awoke around 3.30am to an "almighty" blast
and rattling windows when a car exploded into flames on the driveway of a house.

The explosion followed yesterday's bomb attack on the Geelong headquarters of the Bandidos,
Australia's biggest bikie gang.

Detective Inspector Andrew Allen, of the Organised Crime Squad, said investigations into
today's explosion were being carried out by the Arson Squad, police Special Operations Group
and detectives from his squad.

"At this stage there's nothing to suggest that there is any type of war or gang violence
occurring," Det Insp Allen told reporters.

"We're still yet to identify and establish as to who may be involved in the incident."

A late model Mitsubishi Lancer burst into flames as it sat parked in the driveway of the
Herne Hill home, causing minor damage to the house.

Five people were in the house at the time, but no one was injured.

"A vehicle parked outside an address has had a window smashed and subsequently some type of
incendiary device or fire has occurred in regard to that vehicle," Det Insp Allen said.

A neighbour said she was woken by the blast.

"We just heard one almighty loud bang - that was it. The whole house shook - windows,
everything," she told ABC Radio.

"I just ran through the house thinking, of course, something had exploded in the house and
then we ran out the front and then we could see this car."

Det Insp Allen said all of the evidence was being evaluated and the Victorian police were
in constant contact with their interstate colleagues.

"And having regard to our knowledge of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the past and our
intelligence holdings, an appropriate response will be put together.

"We are yet to establish whether there is a confirmed link between the two incidents, but I
can say that Arson Squad detectives are on their way to that second incident at Geelong.

"The last thing we want to see is some form of retribution by different people," he said.

This appears to be the latest in a string of recent violent clashes involving bikies around
Australia, including one yesterday which badly damaged the Bandidos clubhouse in Geelong.

Other recent incidents have included:

* Shootings in Adelaide;

* The bombing of the Rebels bikie gang headquarters in Adelaide;

* An arson attack on the Bandidos in Adelaide;

* Last Friday's arson attack on a Sydney Rebels clubhouse, which followed the bashing
murder two days earlier of Comanchero bikie Peter Ledger.

There is speculation some of the violence is related to a national split within the
Bandidos, with disgruntled members breaking away to join rival gangs.

AAP st/er/jlw/kr/de

KEYWORD: BANDIDOS THIRD DAYLEAD

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