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A group calling itself the “Lone Wolves” says it is responsible for attacks on western Sydney businesses in a series of incidents that could signal the reignition of a violent gangland conflict.
The group on Thursday morning claimed credit for the firebombing of Royal Blends Barbershop in Warwick Farm, two days after allegedly targeting a separate business linked to the notorious Alameddine crime family.
Both attacks were captured in videos allegedly recorded by the attackers and includes threats of further violence against alleged underworld figures.
The video, filmed outside the barbershop about 2.20am on Thursday, shows two men in dark hoodies dash from the shopfront as it is engulfed in flames. No one associated with the barbershop is accused of any wrongdoing.
As they return to a getaway car before fleeing the scene, one man is heard asking, “Are you recording?”
The Royal Blends facade, situated in a shopping complex adjoined to other retailers, was destroyed in the attack.
The video was shared with SCN Worldstar, an independent media channel focused on Sydney’s underworld, which said it was received from the “Lone Wolves”. The group has claimed credit for a separate attack on another western Sydney business linked to the Alameddine crime family two days earlier.
A message attached to the video said the attack targeted associates of high-profile underworld figure Anthony Pele, who is believed to be hiding overseas after his alleged roles in shootings and criminal plots across Sydney.
Pele is alleged to be a senior member of the self-proclaimed Coconut Cartel, an emerging syndicate that earlier this year declared war on the Alameddine crime network.
NSW Police’s anti-gangs Raptor Squad is investigating Tuesday’s incident. Detectives are working to establish if the recent attacks are linked to the months-long feud between the Coconut Cartel and the Alameddine network, which has splintered since its leadership fled the country amid increasing police scrutiny.
The attacks could signal a renewal of the conflict that sparked the establishment of 100-strong police taskforce at the height of the violence earlier this year.
The video of Tuesday’s attacks includes the line “BFL X WOLVES”, an apparent reference to the Brothers For Life gang and the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle club.
Police are yet to establish whether either of those groups are involved in the attacks or whether the Lone Wolves have adopted a similar name unrelated to the existing gangs.
Detectives are working to determine the role of the Lone Wolves in Sydney’s underworld.
Thursday’s attack occurred two days after the Lone Wolves claimed responsibility for the firebombing of a Wetherill Park towing business linked to Alameddine associates.
Several men in face coverings, gloves and dark clothing were captured breaking into WP Towing about 4am on Tuesday, pouring petrol and setting the premises alight before fleeing in a black Range Rover.
Police allege two gunshots were fired inside the property, which was also the target of a drive-by shooting in November.
In footage recorded at Tuesday’s attack, the Lone Wolves claimed it was “the end of the road” for the Alameddines as it signalled a “force of pressure your OCN [organised crime network] has never experienced before”.
Among the stated targets of the Wetherill Park attack was family patriarch, Rafat Alameddine, who left Australia for Lebanon several years ago.
Authorities allege Alameddine has continued to direct the network’s operations from abroad while enjoying a luxurious life beyond Australian jurisdiction. He’s among several senior Alameddine figures who have fled to the Middle East.
When contacted by this masthead, one barber at Royal Blends said he had “no idea” why the shop was targeted. Police have established a crime scene at the barbershop and are appealing to the public to assist in the investigation.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.From our partners
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