Five men arrested over murder of Issa at Craigieburn Central shopping centre

Homicide detectives have arrested five men over the brazen daylight murder of underworld player Robert Issa at a busy shopping centre car park in Melbourne’s northern suburbs in 2023.

Officers arrested the men during a series of early morning raids on six properties in Kew, Mickleham, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner on Thursday.

Investigators believe the men, a 29-year-old from Kew, a 31-year-old from Mickleham, a 33-year-old from Pascoe Vale, and two 26-year-old men from Fawkner, are foot soldiers hired to carry out the hit.

“We believe there are also people further up the chain who are responsible for ordering this attack,” Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.

Thomas said the arrests represented a turning point in the investigation, but there was still work to be done.

“A significant and protracted investigation by the Homicide Squad over the past two years has led us to today’s arrests, but this investigation is far from over,” Thomas said.

“We will do everything we can to hold accountable every single person involved in this shooting. If you know you are part of that chain, now is the time for you to come and speak to us, because this may be your last opportunity.”

Craigieburn man Robert Issa died, and another man was seriously injured when balaclava-clad men sprayed their white Mercedes station wagon with bullets in front of horrified shoppers outside Craigieburn Central shopping centre about 3pm on October 7, 2023.

The men fled the scene in a black Range Rover, which was later found torched in Westmeadows.