Two members of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang are in custody charged with the drive-by shooting murder of a Melbourne father who had “no criminal association”, police say.
Fruiterer Paul Virgona, 46, died en route to work when his van was peppered with bullets on the city’s EastLink Freeway at Donvale last November 9.
Josh Rider, a 29-year-old Port Melbourne man, and 35-year-old Aaron Ong from Kilsyth were this morning charged by Victoria Police with his murder following dawn raids on 12 properties across the city.
The men did not apply for bail when they faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
They were remanded in custody. to appear via video link for a committal mention on May 27.
A Montrose man, 30, is today being interviewed by detectives from the anti-bikie Echo Taskforce in relation to firearm and drug matters. No further arrests are expected.
Six firearms – a mixture of longarms and handguns – and a boat have also been seized. The weapons will be examined to determine whether the alleged murder weapon is among them.
“We’ve been at pains to point out that the victim has no criminal association and no association with the Mongols,” Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh told reporters today.
She said the murder charges are “of the highest order” and police allege the two men were responsible for the fatal shooting.
When asked if Mr Virgona’s death was a case of mistaken identity, Ms Walsh said she “wouldn’t want to speculate” as the two accused had only just been interviewed.
“We work so hard to get to resolution for these jobs, there’s just no way we want to jeopardise that by compromising the criminal justice process,” she said.
At a press conference earlier this month – where Mr Virgona’s teenage son, Luca, spoke beside his mother, Antonietta – investigators said they were unable to establish a motive for the brutal killing.
“The tragic events that have occurred have removed an innocent and well-respected man from this earth,” Luca Virgona said.
“My greatest role model in life is now gone and we are left to pick up the pieces of our broken family.”
Mongols clubhouses in Ferntree Gully and Port Melbourne were raided as well as a South Melbourne tattoo parlour co-owned by former Richmond Football Club player Jake King, who was seen speaking to police.
Ms Walsh said the parlour was raided “because of the association with the Mongols” but nobody was arrested at that location.
Police said Mr Virgona’s killers waited for him to leave his home in Croydon and followed him in a Mercedes-Benz sedan, which was later found torched in Mooroolbark.
The duo are thought to have switched to a getaway car, a Volkswagen Amarok utility, before dumping it and running into a park.
Police released images of a distinctive Nike top, believed to have been dropped by one of the suspects.
Searches of the properties will be ongoing throughout Wednesday.
Ms Walsh said the operation was the result of months of hard work by multiple police units.
“We understand that any time there is an incident involving illicit firearms, particularly one that results in someone being killed in this way, there is enormous concern in the community,” she said.
“Today’s activities should send a strong message, especially to those involved in this type of criminal activity, that it’s absolutely not acceptable and Victoria Police is committed to tracking down and targeting those people willing to commit these offences.”
WHERE WERE TODAY’S RAIDS?
• Croydon
• Ferntree Gully (clubhouse)
• Kilsyth
• Lilydale
• Montrose
• Noble Park
• Port Melbourne (clubhouse)
• Port Melbourne (commercial)
• Southbank
• South Melbourne (commercial)
• Tecoma
• Wantirna South
– with AAP