feud stems directly from the bitter fallout of the 35-year-old Enfield man with a senior member of the Hells Angels North Crew almost fo...
feud stems directly from the bitter fallout of the 35-year-old Enfield man with a senior member of the Hells Angels North Crew almost four years ago.As the investigation into the two Enfield deaths gathered pace yesterday, police revealed a team of 10 from Major Crime, Crime Gangs, Drug and Organised Crime detectives and Holden Hill CIB had been formed to tackle it.The task force will determine if the two bomb victims, Vahe Hacopian, 31, of Munno Para West, and a Hells Angels nominee member, 23, of Walkley Heights, died accidentally while transporting a bomb meant to kill the rival gang member, or in any other scenario.The pair died when a bomb detonated in a Holden Commodore in Truscott Rd, Enfield, about 5.20am on Thursday - just a short distance from the Learmouth Tce home of the rival New Boys gang member.The Hells Angels member, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was before the courts on serious drugs charges.He was due to face trial in the District Court in April on charges of possessing methamphetamines.He was also facing charges in Adelaide Magistrates Court of taking part in the manufacture of a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.Those charges arose last May following the discovery of an amphetamines laboratory at Mawson Lakes.He was also facing charges of unlawful possession.Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent John Venditto yesterday said police were keeping "an open mind" in the investigation as it unfolded.While the conspiracy to murder theory is a major line of investigation, other scenarios have not yet been discounted - including the possibility the deaths of the pair may not have been accidental.
"There is no evidence that at this point can rule out a double murder, so we cannot discount that as yet," Supt Venditto said. "The investigation will obviously look at any conspiracy to damage property, cause harm or murder. It is still the early stages of the investigative and evidentiary process."On Friday, detectives raided the Enfield home of the New Boys member, who cannot be named for legal reasons. He was spoken to by police on the day of the bombing, and on Friday his home was searched for any evidence that may be connected to the incident. It is likely many other properties will also be searched in coming days as part of the inquiry.
Members of the Hells Angels and the New Boys have been feuding for some time with numerous incidents last year heightening police concerns over the likelihood of more violence.The most recent public incident occurred in August when three houses at Edwardstown, Lewiston and Andrews Farm were sprayed with more than 80 bullets from a 7.62mm assault rifle.The properties were linked to Hells Angels members, although two houses had occupants not connected with the gang.Although the Enfield New Boys member was not believed to have been involved in those shootings, Thursday's abortive attempt on his life is believed to be direct retribution for those incidents.Sources said the animosity between the Enfield man believed to have been the target and the Hells Angels stems from his falling out with the gang, of which he was a member, several years ago. The man is now a senior member of the New Boys street gang, which is strongly linked to the man's city tattoo parlour.Members also spend considerable time at a North Adelaide restaurant.Meanwhile, Munno Para West man Andrew Harrison, 30, who was charged with firearms, drug and explosives offences on Thursday, was yesterday remanded in custody after appearing in Elizabeth Magistrates Court. Police searched his house, which he shared with Hacopian, and discovered pistols, drugs and an explosive material.
