More bikies face extortion charges
Three more men linked to the Comanchero bikie gang have been charged with extortion offences involving a Perth business.
Police raided properties across the metropolitan area today.
A 40-year-old Guildford man, a 26-year-old Armadale man and a 35-year-old Southern River man were all charged with extortion and unlawful acts with intent to cause harm.
All three men are due to appear in the Northbridge Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
Det-Sen. Sgt Jeff Christmass said community did not have to tolerate bullying.
“If you are a victim of an offence like this we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers where your information is confidential and rewards are offered.”
Last week five men were charged overnight after police raided the Comancheros’ Northbridge clubhouse and five homes linked to the gang in simultaneous dawn raids.
Police seized more than $270,000, a semi-automatic pistol and silencer and a sword during the raids.
Gang crime squad Det-Sen. Sgt Graeme Doran claimed the business operators had been threatened by the gang for several months and forced to hand over large amounts of money.
He said extortion could have a devastating impact on small businesses and police believed several other operators around Northbridge and the city had also been targets of the gang’s alleged racket.
Det-Sen. Sgt Doran urged other businesses to report any incidents to police.
“The community should not tolerate these crimes and our message is they don’t have to,” he said.
Each of the five men has been charged with extortion, which carries a potential penalty of 14 years’ jail. Some have also been charged with drugs and weapons offences.
The raids come ahead of the "dob in a bikie" campaign on Tuesday, with police urging people to report criminal activity involving outlaw motorcycle clubs.
Police say nine bikie gangs, with more than 440 patched members, are operating in WA.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
