Bandidos to face court over Rebels clubhouse fire
Six men, including five members of the Bandidos motorcycle gang, will appear in a Brisbane court on Monday, charged over the arson of a rival bikie gang's clubhouse.
Superintendent Rob Weir, of the Organised Crime Squad, on Sunday said five Bandidos' members, including current and former presidents, had been charged with setting fire to a Rebels clubhouse on March 27.
A sixth person, an associate of the club members, also has been charged over the incident and will also appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court.
The clubhouse at Albion, on Brisbane's inner-north will be demolished after the blaze destroyed the entire top floor of the two-storey building and caused severe smoke and water damage to the lower floor.
Inspector Weir said the arson was believed to be an act of retaliation following increasingly violent clashes between the rival gangs.
The fire came after about 20 men from the Rebels and rival club the Bandidos were involved in a fierce brawl near Caboolture, north of Brisbane, in February.
"We will be alleging that it was an act of retaliation and that was their purpose ...," he said.
The six people arrested on Saturday are currently in police custody awaiting their court appearance in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
Their names have yet to be released but those charged include a 38-year-old Kulangoor man, two men aged 34 and 47 from Chambers Flats, a 32-year-old Morayfield man, a 38-year-old Stony Creek man and 45-year-old from Regents Park.
However, Inspector Weir would not rule out further charges and said the recently established Task Force Hydra would continue to investigate Queensland's outlaw motorcycle gangs.
"I can assure the public that Task Force Hydra will continue.
Updated
The most senior members of the Bandido motorcycle club have been arrested over a fire that destroyed a rival group's clubhouse last month.
Police say they have a large amount of forensic evidence linking the Bandidos to the blaze after a dusk raid on their East Brisbane clubhouse.
Superintendent Rob Weir of the Organised Crime Group said that investigators found vital clues during the raid.
"There certainly has been a number of significant elements of evidence that were obtained that hopefully will go a long way to convicting these people," he said.
While police were conducting their search, members of the Bandido gang arrived at the clubhouse to the news that six of their leaders were already in custody.
"Two of the six hold very senior positions within that organisation," Supt Weir said.
"One was the president and one the sergeant at arms, and a third member has recently reliquished the role of presidency."
All six men are accused of burning down the Rebel clubhouse at Albion last month after a roadside brawl between the clubs at Bribie Island.
"We will be alleging that it was an act of retaliation," Supt Weir said.
Despite the damage and injuries, both sides have refused to co-operate with police.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says the bikies' code of silence is not intimidating.
"I'm not going to allow gang warfare to go on and they need to understand that really clearly," he said.
Police have had Bandido members under surveillance during last weekend's burnout and concert festival they sponsored at Caloundra.
Supt Weir said the arrested gang members will all appear in court tomorrow charged with arson, but that this may not be the end of the troubles.
"The six are being held in the Brisbane watch house, but if they're moved to jail it may not end the feud," he said.
"There are 20 bikers from rival clubs already in prison and ready to give them an uncomfortable welcome."
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