A GEELONG outlaw
bikie enforcer believed to have fled the state after
rough justice from within his own ranks is being mourned
by his Facebook friends.
However, police do not
believe Tasman Marell, a former member of the Black
Uhlans, is dead.
A police source said
Marell was the Black Uhlan's sergeant-at-arms but about
10 days ago was booted out of the gang then taken to his
home where he was allegedly bashed following accusations
he owed large sums of money.
"He was then set-upon,
handcuffed with plastic ties and bashed by about four
members. He was severely bashed and as a result it's
believed he has done a runner," the police source said.
"Marell was the one
deciding when to go to war and what discipline would be
dished out."
Marell wrote on his
Facebook page on June 28, the day of the alleged
bashing, at 10.30pm: "To all the mother ... that set me
up I am coming back for you all. You took my life now I
am coming for anything that you love."
Police members from the Echo Taskforce, a unit created
to investigate outlaw motorcycle gang crime, executed
four warrants on homes around Geelong last Friday in
relation to the alleged bashing.
Four people were arrested
and interviewed over the incident but no charges have
been laid.
Police believe Marell may
have fled to either Queensland or the Northern Territory
after his beating.
A Coroners' Court
spokesperson in both states on Friday said they had no
record of Marell's death.
There is also no record of
death in Victoria for Marell.
A Victoria Police
spokeswoman on Friday told the Geelong Advertiser they
had no information to confirm that Marell was dead.
"Police have made
inquiries and believe this information (on Facebook) to
be untrue," the spokeswoman said.
"If the community have
information to the contrary they should advise Victoria
Police and we will investigate."
Tributes on Marell's
Facebook page reveal shock at his apparent death and
described him as a loyal mate who was always there to
help if needed and they would miss his cheeky smile.
Marell has a long rap
sheet dating back to 1993 and has served several prison
terms.
His most recent court
appearance was last year when he received a six month
jail term suspended for 18 months for several offences.
He was nabbed in Geelong
after driving erratically and after police searched his
car they found drugs, a wad of cash, knuckleduster and
slingshot.
A raid at his Hamlyn
Heights home later netted more drugs, cash and firearms.
Victoria Police in May
unveiled the Echo Taskforce in a bid to crackdown on
outlaw bikie gangs and their links to organised crime,
firearms, drug activity, illegal links to the alcohol
industry and brothels.
A huge police contingent,
with officers on the roads and in the sky, special
response teams and mounted police, descended on Geelong
in June for the funeral of a a Black Uhlans bikie who
died in a motorbike crash.
