OFF THE WIRE
BY: Geoff Chambers
http://www.daily-telegraph.net/
: The Daily Telegraph
Comanchero and Notorious
A BIKIE war has erupted between the Comanchero and Notorious over plans to set up a chapter at Bondi Beach. Firebombings, extortion and street assaults have exploded in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs as the rival gangs battle for turf supremacy.
The firebomb attack at Coogee Ink yesterday morning escalated the simmering feud to new levels.
The tattoo parlour, on Coogee Bay Rd, is owned by Comanchero national president Daux Ngakuru and his right-hand man Mark Buddle.
Buddle, 32, was released from prison last week for his role in a daylight brawl with Notorious boss Allan Sarkis and his enforcer David Lima.
The trio, and a fourth man Michael Murray who is an associate of Buddle, clashed outside Bondi Ink on October 28. The tattoo parlour is also linked to the Comanchero.
Senior police, investigating whether Notorious was behind the latest firebombing, are worried about an increase in tit-for-tat reprisals after a series of revenge attacks in recent weeks.
The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed the dramatic spike in clashes between the gangs earlier this month. The battle has centred on a turf war. Notorious wants a bigger piece of the lucrative Bondi, Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra markets.
Notorious bikie chiefs began targeting the traditional Comanchero turf after senior members, including president Mick Hawi, were arrested for their alleged roles in the bashing death of bikie associate Anthony Zervas. The death triggered a war with the Hells Angels, which has ended.
In response to the new threat, the Comanchero went on a recruitment drive to beef-up its membership.
Earlier this year they began targeting the Kings Cross cash pot - the nightclub strip protected by Notorious.
Police sources said the Comanchero was considering opening a Bondi chapter to consolidate its power base and provoke Notorious.
The firebombing of Coogee Ink, which is located opposite the Coogee Public School, has brought bikie violence from western Sydney to the glamorous Eastern Suburbs.
Two men dressed in dark clothing were seen by a witness kicking in the front window of the tattoo parlour before throwing a make-shift petrol bomb into the shop about 12.50am. A police car responding to a noise complaint was a minute away from catching the men, who ran from the scene.
More than 30 residents were forced to wait on the street while fire crews put out the fire.
Two men briefly inspected the tattoo parlour yesterday and swore at the media before driving away.
Senior police, investigating whether Notorious was behind the latest firebombing, are worried about an increase in tit-for-tat reprisals after a series of revenge attacks in recent weeks.
