Latest news with #RobertIssa
The Australian
04-08-2025
- The Australian
Police offer $1m reward to find out who ordered hit on Robert Issa
Police are offering a $1m reward to find out who ordered a hit on gangland figure Robert Issa, who was shot dead in a car at Craigieburn Central shopping centre in 2023. 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.'
Sky News AU
04-08-2025
- Sky News AU
Police offer $1m reward to find out who ordered hit on Robert Issa
Police are offering a $1m reward to find out who ordered a hit on gangland figure Robert Issa, who was shot dead in a car at Craigieburn Central shopping centre in 2023. 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 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. 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 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.' Originally published as Police offer $1m reward to find out who ordered hit on gangland figure Robert Issa
Perth Now
04-08-2025
- Perth Now
$1m reward over gangster shot in car
Police are offering a $1m reward to find out who ordered a hit on gangland figure Robert Issa, who was shot dead in a car at Craigieburn Central shopping centre in 2023. 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. Supplied Credit: 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. Supplied Credit: 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. NewsWire / Diego Fedele Credit: News Corp Australia 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.'
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- News.com.au
Police offer $1m reward to find out who ordered hit on gangland figure Robert Issa
Police are offering a $1m reward to find out who ordered a hit on gangland figure Robert Issa, who was shot dead in a car at Craigieburn Central shopping centre in 2023. 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 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. 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 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.'
The Advertiser
04-08-2025
- The Advertiser
$1m to solve underworld hit as 'foot soldiers' charged
Investigators are confident a $1 million reward will expose criminal puppetmasters who ordered and financed an underworld killing at a busy suburban shopping centre. Robert Issa, 27, was gunned down at Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north in October 2023. Four men wearing balaclavas surrounded Mr Issa's Mercedes SUV, 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 group of men, described by Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas as alleged "foot soldiers", were arrested over the shooting last week but those police say ordered the hit remain at large. "This reward today is very much focused at trying to identify those people further up the chain that were involved in arranging, organising and ordering the hit on Robert Issa," Det Insp told reporters at Victoria Police headquarters on Monday. Police are keeping an open mind about whether criminals ordered the killing from Victoria, interstate or overseas. Det Insp Thomas said there was no evidence it was linked to a long-running conflict over illegal tobacco profits or Kaz Hamad, who police allege is a Middle East-based crime boss. "I'm confident there are people out there that know who has ordered the hit," he said. "I am confident and I hope that this reward will be enough to prize them to come forward and share that information with us." 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. Det Insp Thomas said he could not comment "one way or the other" on reports a sixth man was reportedly arrested in Greece over the killing. A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed an individual was arrested in Greece on July 31 after an Interpol notice was issued on Australia's behalf, but did not provide details. "As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further," they said. Police allege Mr Issa had connections to several organised crime groups. The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider granting indemnity from prosecution to anyone who provides information on the identity of the main offender or offenders. Investigators are confident a $1 million reward will expose criminal puppetmasters who ordered and financed an underworld killing at a busy suburban shopping centre. Robert Issa, 27, was gunned down at Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north in October 2023. Four men wearing balaclavas surrounded Mr Issa's Mercedes SUV, 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 group of men, described by Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas as alleged "foot soldiers", were arrested over the shooting last week but those police say ordered the hit remain at large. "This reward today is very much focused at trying to identify those people further up the chain that were involved in arranging, organising and ordering the hit on Robert Issa," Det Insp told reporters at Victoria Police headquarters on Monday. Police are keeping an open mind about whether criminals ordered the killing from Victoria, interstate or overseas. Det Insp Thomas said there was no evidence it was linked to a long-running conflict over illegal tobacco profits or Kaz Hamad, who police allege is a Middle East-based crime boss. "I'm confident there are people out there that know who has ordered the hit," he said. "I am confident and I hope that this reward will be enough to prize them to come forward and share that information with us." 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. Det Insp Thomas said he could not comment "one way or the other" on reports a sixth man was reportedly arrested in Greece over the killing. A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed an individual was arrested in Greece on July 31 after an Interpol notice was issued on Australia's behalf, but did not provide details. "As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further," they said. Police allege Mr Issa had connections to several organised crime groups. The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider granting indemnity from prosecution to anyone who provides information on the identity of the main offender or offenders. Investigators are confident a $1 million reward will expose criminal puppetmasters who ordered and financed an underworld killing at a busy suburban shopping centre. Robert Issa, 27, was gunned down at Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north in October 2023. Four men wearing balaclavas surrounded Mr Issa's Mercedes SUV, 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 group of men, described by Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas as alleged "foot soldiers", were arrested over the shooting last week but those police say ordered the hit remain at large. "This reward today is very much focused at trying to identify those people further up the chain that were involved in arranging, organising and ordering the hit on Robert Issa," Det Insp told reporters at Victoria Police headquarters on Monday. Police are keeping an open mind about whether criminals ordered the killing from Victoria, interstate or overseas. Det Insp Thomas said there was no evidence it was linked to a long-running conflict over illegal tobacco profits or Kaz Hamad, who police allege is a Middle East-based crime boss. "I'm confident there are people out there that know who has ordered the hit," he said. "I am confident and I hope that this reward will be enough to prize them to come forward and share that information with us." 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. Det Insp Thomas said he could not comment "one way or the other" on reports a sixth man was reportedly arrested in Greece over the killing. A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed an individual was arrested in Greece on July 31 after an Interpol notice was issued on Australia's behalf, but did not provide details. "As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further," they said. Police allege Mr Issa had connections to several organised crime groups. The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider granting indemnity from prosecution to anyone who provides information on the identity of the main offender or offenders. Investigators are confident a $1 million reward will expose criminal puppetmasters who ordered and financed an underworld killing at a busy suburban shopping centre. Robert Issa, 27, was gunned down at Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north in October 2023. Four men wearing balaclavas surrounded Mr Issa's Mercedes SUV, 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 group of men, described by Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas as alleged "foot soldiers", were arrested over the shooting last week but those police say ordered the hit remain at large. "This reward today is very much focused at trying to identify those people further up the chain that were involved in arranging, organising and ordering the hit on Robert Issa," Det Insp told reporters at Victoria Police headquarters on Monday. Police are keeping an open mind about whether criminals ordered the killing from Victoria, interstate or overseas. Det Insp Thomas said there was no evidence it was linked to a long-running conflict over illegal tobacco profits or Kaz Hamad, who police allege is a Middle East-based crime boss. "I'm confident there are people out there that know who has ordered the hit," he said. "I am confident and I hope that this reward will be enough to prize them to come forward and share that information with us." 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. Det Insp Thomas said he could not comment "one way or the other" on reports a sixth man was reportedly arrested in Greece over the killing. A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed an individual was arrested in Greece on July 31 after an Interpol notice was issued on Australia's behalf, but did not provide details. "As this matter is subject to proceedings in Greece, it is not appropriate to comment further," they said. Police allege Mr Issa had connections to several organised crime groups. The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider granting indemnity from prosecution to anyone who provides information on the identity of the main offender or offenders.
