Police arrested three people connected to the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang on Wednesday as part of an investigation into several incidents including a shooting in South Morang last month.
Detectives from the Echo Taskforce, VIPER Taskforce, Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit, Mill Park Divisional Response Unit and Brimbank Investigation Unit, with assistance from the Australian Federal Police National Anti Gangs Squad, executed warrants on four residential properties in Kalkallo, North Melbourne, Pascoe Vale and Mernda.
They also searched the Port Melbourne club house of the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, OMCG.
Police arrested a Kalkallo man, 23, who is alleged to be a patched member of the Mongols OMCG, in Kalkallo with the assistance of the Special Operations Group.
A Pascoe Vale man, 19, and a Mernda man, 34, who alleged to be a chapter president of the Mongols OMCG, were also arrested.
The Kalkallo man was subsequently charged with: reckless conduct endangering life; possessing, carrying or using a general category handgun; using firearm in a dangerous manner; assault; discharging a firearm at a vehicle with reckless disregard for safety; reckless conduct endangering life; attempted aggravated carjacking; possessing carrying or using a longarm; being armed with criminal intent; committing an indictable offence while on bail; breaching bail conditions; and unlicensed driving.
The Pascoe Vale man was charged with: possessing drugs of dependence and prescription medication; and handling stolen goods.
Both were remanded in custody and faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week.
The Mernda man was released pending further enquiries.
Police also located several items while executing the warrants including ammunition, two machetes, stolen identification, and drugs including methylamphetamines and steroids.
The arrests followed an incident on July 11 where a firearm was pointed out the window of a white Toyota Kluger at another car in Thomastown after a minor traffic incident.
Detectives believe the Kalkallo man was driving the Toyota at the time of the incident.
On July 20, just before 2.45pm, a 21-year-old Mernda man was involved in an altercation with three men on Nivea Terrace in South Morang.
A number of shots were fired into his vehicle, and he was also physically assaulted.
The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries following the incident.
On July 27, a 23-year-old Bundoora man and a 25-year-old South Morang man were arrested by the Mill Park Divisional Response Unit in relation to the assault and shooting.
The Bundoora man was subsequently charged with aggravated car jacking, as well as firearms and assault offences, while the South Morang man was released pending further enquiries.
The Mernda man arrested was also interviewed as part of an investigation into a series of fires at tobacco stores across Melbourne in the past 12 months.
Seven people were arrested and charged earlier this year as part of the investigation.
The investigation of all these matters remains ongoing.
Police are urging anyone with information about any of the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
