Public in firing line of gang war

OFF THE WIRE
The Advertiser
THE gunman raised the automatic rifle and opened fire on the side of the house, but the bullets missed their mark.

For the man sleeping inside, that was the second time he had been shot at, and the second time he had survived. The hail of bullets that tore through his home pierced roller shutters, shattered glass and injured his sleeping pet dog.

For police, this week's shooting at Andrews Farm was yet another round in a bloody, but inept, battle between the Hells Angels and New Boys. Despite both sides having access to an illegal arsenal of weaponry, the battle so far has involved a series of botched murder plots and ill-conceived plans.

While many are convinced the ongoing violence is a turf war between gangs, others believe the feud is far more personal.
At a press conference this week, Crime Gangs Task Force head Superintendent Des Bray said the conflict between the gangs began in 2008 when a group of Hells Angels broke away and formed their own unit.

A source told The Advertiser the split happened after a prospective member of the Hells Angels north chapter - let's call him Gino - had a falling out with a senior, fully-patched member of the gang, whom we will call Nigel.

The story goes that Gino and several other hopefuls were rejected by the Angels, something Gino took very personally. Angry, he gathered those around him and joined forces with street gangs the Middle East Boys and Rule The Streets. Together, they formed the New Boys.

The two street gangs had been loosely affiliated with the Hells Angels and were used to peddle drugs and do some low-grade dirty work. They set up their base at a tattoo parlour run by the new club's president, where members would stand out the front on Friday and Saturday nights.

It was there Gino's son was stabbed in a botched murder attempt in May.

"This has nothing to do with the New Boys and Hells Angels as groups - it's all about two individuals within those groups ... a very bitter and personal feud and no one can control them," a source told The Advertiser.

"They also don't have charters, club rules and senior members to follow so they do what they like."

nteIn May, 2008, Gino and his mates ran into some thugs loyal to the Hells Angels north chapter on Gouger St - and all hell broke loose.

Up to 15 gunshots were fired as diners and late night revellers ducked for cover.

In August 2009, several New Boys drove past three homes they thought belonged to Hells Angels members and fired shots into them. Two homes were occupied by innocent people. The third belonged to Nigel.

Last February, a Hells Angel and a club associate were killed when a bomb they were taking to New Boy Gino's house accidentally exploded. Weeks later, the New Boys hit back, bashing the brother of one of the men killed by their own bomb.

Guns were drawn again in July when a shot was fired through the door of a New Boys member's house. Four days later, there was another botched firebombing attack on a vacant house - where Gino had lived until the bungled bomb attack.

The same day a New Boys member was stabbed in front of shoppers at Tea Tree Plaza. Four men - one police believe is a Hells Angels member - appeared in Holden Hill Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with aggravated cause serious harm and affray. Police seek another four.

Police have no doubt that after a series of flimsy murder plots and bungled attacks, someone might get it right. "If you are a member of these gangs you are at risk yourself of getting shot or seriously hurt, but I guess the greatest concern is the activities of these gangs exposes the public to unnecessary and preventable risks," Supt Bray said.

"They have no regard for public safety. If the gangs come into contact in a nightclub or on the street or shopping centre, there is a likelihood there will be a violent confrontation."

The Hells Angels have a motto: "All for one and one on all". No doubt thousands of members and associates from around the country are watching the battle. For the 15 to 20 New Boys, it may only be a matter of time.