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Bomb attack bid stopped with 17 minutes to go

Date
November 27, 2012 - 3:28PM

Ilya Gridneff
Crime Reporter




A sophisticated home-made bomb placed outside a Milperra hotel, allegedly by a Comanchero bikie, was 17 minutes away from exploding when its timer stopped.

With 20 people inside the venue, the attempted attack on July 25 would have had "catastrophic consequences", police said.

Gangs Squad Commander Arthur Katsogiannis said Samy Duong, 40, a Comanchero member of no fixed abode, has been charged over the attempted bombing after being arrested in a hotel in Liverpool.
Screen grab of Comanchero bikie arrest over attempted bombing at Milperra.

A screen grab of police video of a Comanchero member being arrested over the attempted bombing at Milperra. Photo: Supplied

"There was a real danger someone could have been hurt or died," he said.

The Mill Hotel, previously known as the Viking Tavern, was where seven people died in a shootout between rival bikie gangs the Comancheros and the Bandidos on Father's Day, 1984.

The Comancheros have one of their strongest chapter club houses in Milperra.

Police have ruled out a bikie war with another club or internal Comanchero fighting, as seen earlier this month.

"We have two solid lines of inquiry that at this stage I don't want to confirm as the motive," he said.

A senior police source told Fairfax Media there was a strong belief the bombing could simply be payback after Comanchero members were refused entry earlier that month.

"Some Comacheros had been prevented from entering the hotel for wearing their colours, but I'm not confirming that is the motive," Mr Katsogiannis said.

In the 1980s, the Viking Tavern was a famous bikie haunt. Nowadays, the Mill Hotel is gaining fame for its swish surrounds, relaxed beer garden and impressive menu.

A Mill Hotel staff member declined to comment, but added the Comanchero club, and all bikies, were not welcome at their venue in colours.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bomb-attack-bid-stopped-with-17-minutes-to-go-20121127-2a4hs.html#ixzz2DRxOej8V

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