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The mysterious crime gang responsible for terrorising Melbourne’s nightlife scene with fire bombings, shootings and abductions is yet to issue any demands to make the now two-month old spree of violence stop.
Despite more than 20 attacks since February – including a drive-by shooting at The Emerson and the firebombing of Bar Up in South Yarra early Sunday morning – no explicit extortion message has been sent to the venue operators, according to police and underworld sources.
Melbourne’s nightlife scene has been on edge for weeks after the seemingly motiveless crime spree, which has also included attempted abductions targeting promoters and their families.
“They’re sending a message but there’s no follow through with a demand. It makes no sense,” said the police source, who did not want to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
The crime syndicate responsible had spent tens of thousands of dollars orchestrating attacks involving dozens of foot soldiers without revealing their ultimate goal, the source said.
But the attack at The Emerson overnight was regarded as a significant escalation in the violence and risk to the public as the venue was open at the time shots were fired at its facade.
All the firebombings have targeted venues that were closed at the time.
Just before 2am, an unidentified vehicle pulled up outside the Emerson on Commercial Road and “several shots” were reportedly fired at the venue.
There were no injuries. The offenders drove off and have not been captured.
Three hours later, and just 350 metres away, Bar Up on Chapel Street was set alight by an offender on foot who later disappeared. The venue was destroyed.
Victoria Police has been flooding CBD and inner suburban nightlife areas with uniformed patrols and undercover police to stop the violence and protect the public. There have been reports of police stationed at numerous locations along the strips.
The police response includes a warning from arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray for patrons to be vigilant in the city and to report suspicious activity.
Some council-run CCTV systems were also being constantly monitored, which led to the arrest of three teenage males responsible for attempting to set a fire at Bar Bambi in the CBD on Saturday morning. They were spotted by staff monitoring City of Melbourne’s Safety City Cameras network.
It was the second time in a week Bar Bambi had been targeted.
The list of targeted venues also includes Albion Hotel, The Osborne and Soho, Left Bank and France Soir restaurants.
Two strip clubs, Kittens and The Men’s Gallery, have also been targeted with arson attacks and a drive-by shooting.
A police source said a brothel was also targeted recently, marking the 22nd incident potentially linked to this mysterious crime gang.
Venue owners have been beefing up security with round-the-clock guards and new CCTV systems in response to the attacks.
“My understanding is it’s not going to stop, and it’s going to get worse,” one venue operator told this masthead.
Victoria Police arrested more than 10 offenders. The vast majority were teenagers, including one as young as 14. None were the ringleaders responsible for the spree.
Sources said the offenders were being contracted to stage the attacks without knowing the identity of the ringleaders. The arsonists were paid a few hundred dollars for each job, which was being delivered by anonymous “dead drop”.
Speculation has been rife that the attacks were linked to a new push to control the distribution of illicit alcohol or drugs across a swath of Melbourne’s nightlife scene.
Premier Jacinta Allan said at a press conference on Sunday morning that the investigation into the incidents was Victoria Police’s “highest priority”.
“Victoria Police are putting a considerable amount of resources to this recent outbreak of incidents. They are investigating, they’ve made arrests as well, and we thank Victoria Police for their work,” Allan said, noting she had spoken with Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on Saturday.
Shadow attorney-general James Newbury said the overnight attacks were further evidence that Victoria had become Australia’s organised crime capital.
“Victoria is the place to be for organised crime because organised criminals know there are no consequences.”
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