A feud between rival gangs over a substantial drug debt is believed to be behind two arson attacks and a shooting in Adelaide.
Five shots were fired at the suburban Ascot Park property on Monday night, with Detective Superintendent Mark Trenwith confirming the incident was part of “tit for tat” attacks involving members of the Hells Angels and another group.
The shots follow a deliberately lit fire at a gymnasium at suburban Marleston on August 9 and another fire in a food truck parked at a property at Mile End the day before. Supt Trenwith said it was also thought the incidents were sparked in part by a shift in the balance of power between the rival gangs after the arrest of five members of the Hells Angels recently over a 2012 murder.
The home where the food truck was burnt was linked to one of those men charged with the murder of spray painter Jason De Ieso. Supt Trenwith said police were concerned at the very public displays of violence.
“Obviously we’re concerned that firearms are being used, that premises are being torched,” he said.
“The particular danger is that some innocent member of the public will get caught up in this.”
Police said two people in the home at the time of Monday night’s shooting were not involved in any criminality and were not hurt. While detectives were following positive lines of inquiry, they said the investigation was also being hampered by a lack of co-operation by those targeted.
“While a lack of co-operation makes things harder for police, it certainly doesn’t stop us and we have had a great deal of success in recent years tackling overt crime and intimidation by outlaw motorcycle gangs,” Supt Trenwith said.
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Source: 9News