Police offer $1m reward to find out who ordered hit on Robert Issa
Five men were charged with Mr Issa's murder last week, but homicide detectives are keen to identify crime bosses further up the chain who ordered and paid for the hit.
A 29-year old man from Kew, a 31-year old man from Mickleham, a 33-year old man from Pascoe Vale and two 26-year olds from Fawkner were all charged with murder, attempted murder and arson on Thursday.
Police arrest a 26-year-old man from Fawkner. Picture: Supplied
Police allege Mr Issa, 27, and another associate, Eric Catanese, were sitting inside a white Mercedes station wagon parked in a shopping centre carpark when gunmen fired shots into their car just before 3pm on October 7, 2023.
Witnesses pulled Mr Issa from the car and attempted to perform CPR until emergency services arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Catanese, from Melbourne's north and now aged 30, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The offenders fled the scene in a black Range Rover that was found burnt out in Westmeadows about 30 minutes later.
Gangland figure Robert Issa was shot and killed in a suspected underworld hit. Picture: Supplied
The Herald Sun reported that Mr Issa had fallen out with underworld figures in the lead-up to his death.
Mr Issa was thought to be associated with a figure linked to the Comanchero bikie gang who was suspected of playing a role in a string of retaliatory fire bombings targeting businesses and residences throughout Melbourne.
The newspaper also reported detectives were investigating if Mr Issa made enemies attempting to break into Victoria's illicit tobacco trade and whether the five men charged over his death were involved in a drive-by shooting at his parents' house.
Homicide squad detectives believe other people have direct knowledge about the motive of the incident and who was involved, including those who ordered the hit.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said Mr Issa had connections to organised crime groups. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police knew Mr Issa had connections to organised crime groups and this has added complexity to the investigation, including a motive.
'Five men have been charged for their alleged roles in the shooting on the day, but as we have said, this offending involves more than just those in the car on the night – it's the planning, the financing, those further up the chain and the facilitators,' he said.
'That is the reason for this reward. We know there are others out there and we will take every step in this investigation to identify them.
'If this reward leads to someone coming forward, then any information they provide will be thoroughly investigated.
'We have already made clear we will do everything we can to identify every single person involved in both the planning and the execution, and now there are one million reasons to come forward with any information you may have.'
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