Australasian Biker News
More bikies charged over Grappa shooting
February 8, 2008 - 4:42PM
Advertisement
Police have arrested another two motorcycle gang members in connection
with a shootout on a popular Sydney restaurant strip.
Police say eight men were involved in the shootout near the Grappa
restaurant on Norton Street, Leichhardt, in Sydney's inner-west, in
November last year.
Yassar Bakir, 33, allegedly a senior member of the Finks bikie gang and
younger brother of Gold Coast mobile phone entrepreneur Ron Bakir,
appeared in a Sydney court this week on shooting charges arising from
the incident.
Police said they have since arrested two high-ranking members of the
Commancheros bikie gang, bringing the total number of arrests in
connection with the shootout to three.
Two men from Bexley in Sydney's south-west, aged 29 and 27, were
arrested at Surry Hills Police Station and charged with affray, police
said in a statement.
The 27-year-old man was arrested on Thursday and has been granted
conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on February 28.
The 29-year-old man was refused bail to appear in Central Local Court
later Friday.
Bakir is charged with two counts of shooting with intent to murder.
He also faces one count each of shooting at a person with intent to
inflict grievous bodily harm, firing a firearm in a public place, and
affray.
Police said the arrests were the result of extensive inquiries by the
State Crime Command Gangs Squad and Leichhardt Local Area Command,
attached to Strike Force Durra.
They said the shootout arose from a brawl at the restaurant on November
15, when members of each group used chairs as weapons.
"The altercation stopped after one of the men produced a firearm and all
men then left the restaurant," the statement said.
"As five of the men drove along Norton Street in two vehicles, a black
Mercedes and black Mazda 6 sedan, numerous shots were fired from the
group of three men on foot, striking the cars.
"Two vehicles parked nearby and an occupied house also sustained damage
from bullets fired during the incident.
"The three men then got into a white four-door dual-cab utility with
aluminium tray-back, which had been parked in Henderson Street, before
driving from the scene."
Police said the black Mercedes was located three hours later in Chester
Street, Annandale.
Investigators are still seeking assistance from members of the public to
locate a reported stolen black Mazda 6 sedan, with NSW registration ASH
01E.
Members of the community who sighted the vehicle were urged not to
approach it but to contact police via triple-0.
Anyone with information on the white four-door dual-cab utility with
aluminium tray-back was also urged to contact detectives.
"Information about the shooting can be provided anonymously by
contacting Strike Force Durra detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 bite
me," police said.