Five ‘foot soldiers' arrested over daylight murder of underworld figure Robert Issa
Officers arrested the men during a series of early morning raids on six properties in Kew, Mickleham, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner on Thursday.
Investigators believe the men, a 29-year-old from Kew, a 31-year-old from Mickleham, a 33-year-old from Pascoe Vale, and two 26-year-old men from Fawkner, are foot soldiers hired to carry out the hit.
'We believe there are also people further up the chain who are responsible for ordering this attack,' Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said.
Thomas said the arrests represented a turning point in the investigation, but there was still work to be done.
'A significant and protracted investigation by the Homicide Squad over the past two years has led us to today's arrests, but this investigation is far from over,' Thomas said.
'We will do everything we can to hold accountable every single person involved in this shooting. If you know you are part of that chain, now is the time for you to come and speak to us, because this may be your last opportunity.'
Craigieburn man Robert Issa died, and another man was seriously injured when balaclava-clad men sprayed their white Mercedes station wagon with bullets in front of horrified shoppers outside Craigieburn Central shopping centre about 3pm on October 7, 2023.
The men fled the scene in a black Range Rover, which was later found torched in Westmeadows.
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Police announce $1 million reward for information on Robert Issa murder
Police have made the unusual decision to offer a $1 million reward for information over the murder of gangland figure Robert Issa, despite making a series of significant arrests last week. Issa was shot dead in a shopping centre car park in Craigieburn, in Melbourne's north, in October 2023, when men in balaclavas set upon him and an associate as they sat inside a white Mercedes-Benz station wagon during the day. The men sprayed the vehicle with bullets, killing Issa and seriously injuring his associate in front of horrified shoppers, and fled the scene in a black Range Rover. In a major breakthrough in the investigation, homicide detectives arrested and charged five men with Issa's murder after a series of early-morning raids on a combined six properties in Kew, Mickleham, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner last Thursday. Investigators believe the men arrested and charged – Dion Perrone, 29, Muhammed Sayan, 31, Bechara Bayrouty, 33, Christian Behrndt, 26, and Fabio Perrone, 26 – are foot soldiers who were contracted to carry out the hit. All five have been charged with murder, attempted murder and destroying property by fire. They were all remanded in custody and will next appear in court on December 4. Authorities in Greece arrested a sixth man believed to be connected to Issa's murder at an airport in Athens on Thursday. The man was subject to an Interpol notice made on Australia's behalf. The federal Attorney-General's Department confirmed an Australian citizen was arrested but did not provide any additional information on the allegations against him. 'As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further,' the department said in a statement.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Police announce $1 million reward for information on Robert Issa murder
Police have made the unusual decision to offer a $1 million reward for information over the murder of gangland figure Robert Issa, despite making a series of significant arrests last week. Issa was shot dead in a shopping centre car park in Craigieburn, in Melbourne's north, in October 2023, when men in balaclavas set upon him and an associate as they sat inside a white Mercedes-Benz station wagon during the day. The men sprayed the vehicle with bullets, killing Issa and seriously injuring his associate in front of horrified shoppers, and fled the scene in a black Range Rover. In a major breakthrough in the investigation, homicide detectives arrested and charged five men with Issa's murder after a series of early-morning raids on a combined six properties in Kew, Mickleham, Pascoe Vale and Fawkner last Thursday. Investigators believe the men arrested and charged – Dion Perrone, 29, Muhammed Sayan, 31, Bechara Bayrouty, 33, Christian Behrndt, 26, and Fabio Perrone, 26 – are foot soldiers who were contracted to carry out the hit. All five have been charged with murder, attempted murder and destroying property by fire. They were all remanded in custody and will next appear in court on December 4. Authorities in Greece arrested a sixth man believed to be connected to Issa's murder at an airport in Athens on Thursday. The man was subject to an Interpol notice made on Australia's behalf. The federal Attorney-General's Department confirmed an Australian citizen was arrested but did not provide any additional information on the allegations against him. 'As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further,' the department said in a statement.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
$1m reward to identify puppet masters of underworld hit
Police are setting their sights on the masterminds of an underworld hit, offering a $1 million reward for information. Robert Issa, 27, was gunned down at Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north almost two years ago. Four men wearing balaclavas surrounded Mr Issa's Mercedes SUV in October 2023, firing multiple shots into the passenger side and rear windows. He was killed and another man, a now 30-year-old from Hadfield, was taken to hospital in a serious condition. A black Range Rover was later found burnt out in Westmeadows. Five men were arrested in raids across Melbourne's north and east on Thursday and each charged with murder, attempted murder and criminal damage by fire. Detective Inspector Dean Thomas described the men as "foot soldiers", with police still working to identify those further up the chain who ordered, financed and organised the alleged hit. The murder allegedly involved more than just those in the car, Mr Thomas said. "We know there are others out there and we will take every step in this investigation to identify them," he said. "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." Police allege Mr Issa had connections to several organised crime groups and suspect the shooting may be linked to Melbourne's long-running illegal tobacco wars. The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider granting indemnification from prosecution to anybody who provides information on the identity of the main offender or offenders.
