OFF THE WIRE
Emily Watkins
Adeliadenow.com.au
THE Rebels' southern headquarters is up for sale, and at least one bidder has already put in an offer.
Complete with a video camera security system and a stripper pole, the fortress-like house in Seaford is in a semi-commercial area, opposite a recycling centre and between empty blocks of land.
It is surrounded by high, cement rendered walls.
At least three security cameras look over the front boundary fence of the house - one at either side of the fence and one positioned above the driveway.
A video intercom is installed at the gate. The compound comes with a large indoor entertaining area used for bikie gatherings, with a bar at the rear.
A separate - and private room - has a permanent stripper pole erected for more private gatherings.
The property is listed with selling agents Siebel & Siebel - which have erected a sign out the front - but curiously it cannot be found on the company's website or major real estate websites.
A request by the Sunday Mail to Siebel & Siebel to visit the property was refused. The "For Sale" sign describes it as a:
VERSATILE multi-purpose property on 1032 sq m;
GENEROUS garage and workshop;
FULLY-PAVED carpark for multiple vehicles;
SUITABLE for redevelopment. INTO WHAT??????????????
It is understood the Rebels are selling up to move to bigger and better premises at Victor Harbor.
The clubhouse hosted a wild party with national club president Alex Vella in May 2009 at the clubhouse.
Mr Vella was in Adelaide with hundreds of members to protest against the Rann government's controversial anti-bikie laws.
They had to cancel a planned ride to Victor Harbor the next day because the large police presence would have been trouble for any riders still drunk from the celebrations.
Rebels Southern chapter president Robert Vitale is listed on the land title as the owner of the property since November 14, 2003. Records show the sale price then was $225,000. Siebel & Siebel refused to discuss details of the sale but the median price for a home in Seaford is $390,000.
Mr Vitale was critically wounded in a shooting outside Tonic nightclub in 2007.
Four bikies were taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital after the incident where they were treated for bullet wounds. He was previously the manager of Rise nightclub, but handed in his licence in 2006 after police lodged action in the Liquor Licensing Court, citing its operators as "not fit and proper persons".
Mr Vitale's brother, Luigi, was named as "a person of interest" at the inquest into the death of Queensland passenger on the cruise ship Pacific Sky.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/rebels-bikie-citadel-up-for-sale/story-e6frea83-1225976199812
