BIKIES from the Tramps and from other clubs alleged to support the Hells Angels were called to a meeting only hours before the shooting of Bandido Toby Mitchell, a hearing has been told.
A Victorian Firearms Appeal Committee hearing was told Tramps members, nine of whom are fighting to get cancelled gun licences reinstated, were among bikies who attended the Satans Soldiers clubhouse in Melton on March 1.
Detective Senior-Sergeant Wayne Cheesman told the hearing the Melton meeting was a subject of investigation.
But he did not allege the club had been involved in the shooting of the Bandido sergeant-at-arms and another member.
But in the hours before the shooting, members of several clubs aligned to the Hells Angels met.
Later, the Diablos clubhouse, less than 200m from the Satans Soldiers chapter, was subjected to a "run through".
After the "run through" Bandidos members arrived in numbers and were shot at by Hells Angels and possibly members of other clubs.
"I think they (Tramps) were called to the (Satans Soldiers) clubhouse. I think there was talk of action against the Diablos," Det Sen-Sgt Cheesman said.
"They were there and left prior to the convoy moving off. There were 30 shots let off in a public place ... I don't have evidence they called police. You could have had 10 (Bandido) members hit in that incident."
Det Sen-Sgt Cheesman said he had "no doubt" there would have been significant planning behind the attacks, and the supporter clubs would have been told what was about to transpire.
The ambush has led to "war" being declared between the Hells Angels and Bandidos. About a week ago an AK47 was used to shoot up the Bandidos' Dandenong chapter.
It is believed this was in retaliation for shots fired at the Hells Angels' new Seaford chapter about a month ago.
Trevor Monti, SC, for the Tramps, told the hearing that members had arrived at the Satans Soldiers clubhouse to find a lot of people, and had "followed the mob" toward the Diablos clubhouse.
He said the Tramps members saw people running out of the Diablos clubhouse and returned to the Satans Soldiers chapter before leaving, "a very long time before the shooting occurred".
The hearing, which will determine whether Tramps members are "fit and proper" people to hold firearms licences, was due to continue today.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/bikies-called-to-a-meeting-hours-before-the-shooting-of-bandido-toby-mitchell/story-fni0fee2-1226684004170
A Victorian Firearms Appeal Committee hearing was told Tramps members, nine of whom are fighting to get cancelled gun licences reinstated, were among bikies who attended the Satans Soldiers clubhouse in Melton on March 1.
Detective Senior-Sergeant Wayne Cheesman told the hearing the Melton meeting was a subject of investigation.
But he did not allege the club had been involved in the shooting of the Bandido sergeant-at-arms and another member.
But in the hours before the shooting, members of several clubs aligned to the Hells Angels met.
Later, the Diablos clubhouse, less than 200m from the Satans Soldiers chapter, was subjected to a "run through".
After the "run through" Bandidos members arrived in numbers and were shot at by Hells Angels and possibly members of other clubs.
"I think they (Tramps) were called to the (Satans Soldiers) clubhouse. I think there was talk of action against the Diablos," Det Sen-Sgt Cheesman said.
"They were there and left prior to the convoy moving off. There were 30 shots let off in a public place ... I don't have evidence they called police. You could have had 10 (Bandido) members hit in that incident."
Det Sen-Sgt Cheesman said he had "no doubt" there would have been significant planning behind the attacks, and the supporter clubs would have been told what was about to transpire.
The ambush has led to "war" being declared between the Hells Angels and Bandidos. About a week ago an AK47 was used to shoot up the Bandidos' Dandenong chapter.
It is believed this was in retaliation for shots fired at the Hells Angels' new Seaford chapter about a month ago.
Trevor Monti, SC, for the Tramps, told the hearing that members had arrived at the Satans Soldiers clubhouse to find a lot of people, and had "followed the mob" toward the Diablos clubhouse.
He said the Tramps members saw people running out of the Diablos clubhouse and returned to the Satans Soldiers chapter before leaving, "a very long time before the shooting occurred".
The hearing, which will determine whether Tramps members are "fit and proper" people to hold firearms licences, was due to continue today.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/bikies-called-to-a-meeting-hours-before-the-shooting-of-bandido-toby-mitchell/story-fni0fee2-1226684004170