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The mysterious crime gang responsible for terrorising Melbourne\u2019s nightlife scene with fire bombings, shootings and abductions is yet to issue any demands to make the now two-month old spree of violence stop.<\/p>\n
Despite more than 20 attacks since February \u2013 including a drive-by shooting at The Emerson and the firebombing of Bar Up<\/a> in South Yarra early Sunday morning \u2013 no explicit extortion message has been sent to the venue operators, according to police and underworld sources.<\/p>\n Melbourne\u2019s nightlife scene has been on edge for weeks after the seemingly motiveless crime spree, which has also included attempted abductions targeting promoters and their families.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re sending a message but there\u2019s no follow through with a demand. It makes no sense,\u201d said the police source, who did not want to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly.<\/p>\n The crime syndicate responsible had spent tens of thousands of dollars orchestrating attacks involving dozens of foot soldiers without revealing their ultimate goal, the source said.<\/p>\n But the attack at The Emerson overnight was regarded as a significant escalation in the violence and risk to the public as the venue was open at the time shots were fired at its facade.<\/p>\n All the firebombings have targeted venues that were closed at the time.<\/p>\n Just before 2am, an unidentified vehicle pulled up outside the Emerson on Commercial Road and \u201cseveral shots\u201d were reportedly fired at the venue.<\/p>\n There were no injuries. The offenders drove off and have not been captured.<\/p>\n Three hours later, and just 350 metres away, Bar Up on Chapel Street was set alight by an offender on foot who later disappeared. The venue was destroyed.<\/p>\n Victoria Police has been flooding CBD and inner suburban nightlife areas with uniformed patrols and undercover police to stop the violence and protect the public. There have been reports of police stationed at numerous locations along the strips.<\/p>\n The police response includes a warning from arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray for patrons to be vigilant in the city and to report suspicious activity.<\/p>\n Some council-run CCTV systems were also being constantly monitored, which led to the arrest of three teenage males responsible for attempting to set a fire at Bar Bambi in the CBD on Saturday morning. They were spotted by staff monitoring City of Melbourne\u2019s Safety City Cameras network.<\/p>\n Related Article It was the second time in a week Bar Bambi had been targeted.<\/p>\n The list of targeted venues also includes Albion Hotel, The Osborne and Soho, Left Bank and France Soir restaurants<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two strip clubs, Kittens and The Men\u2019s Gallery, have also been targeted with arson attacks and a drive-by shooting.<\/p>\n A police source said a brothel was also targeted recently, marking the 22nd incident potentially linked to this mysterious crime gang.<\/p>\n Venue owners have been beefing up security with round-the-clock guards and new CCTV systems in response to the attacks.<\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding is it\u2019s not going to stop, and it\u2019s going to get worse,\u201d one venue operator told this masthead.<\/p>\n Related Article Victoria Police arrested more than 10 offenders. The vast majority were teenagers, including one as young as 14. None were the ringleaders responsible for the spree.<\/p>\n Sources said the offenders were being contracted to stage the attacks without knowing the identity of the ringleaders. The arsonists were paid a few hundred dollars for each job, which was being delivered by anonymous \u201cdead drop\u201d.<\/p>\n Speculation has been rife that the attacks were linked to a new push to control the distribution of illicit alcohol or drugs across a swath of Melbourne\u2019s nightlife scene.<\/p>\n Premier Jacinta Allan said at a press conference on Sunday morning that the investigation into the incidents was Victoria Police\u2019s \u201chighest priority\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cVictoria Police are putting a considerable amount of resources to this recent outbreak of incidents. They are investigating, they\u2019ve made arrests as well, and we thank Victoria Police for their work,\u201d Allan said, noting she had spoken with Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on Saturday.<\/p>\n Shadow attorney-general James Newbury said the overnight attacks were further evidence that Victoria had become Australia\u2019s organised crime capital.<\/p>\n \u201cVictoria is the place to be for organised crime because organised criminals know there are no consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts<\/a> on email or turn on notifications in the app.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/00133b7d775bb96f5010a4d6e6fd7c69d6e6c0b2.jpeg\")
A drive-by shooting at The Emerson in South Yarra was one of the latest incidents linked to a mysterious crime gang attacking nightlife spotsNine News<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/742e9fd0d4250827b3dac1706fa72a8450a4d0b1.jpeg\")
The interior of Bar Up, Chapel Street, South Yarra after a firebombing on Sunday morning. <\/p>\n![\"Bar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777197975_447_7c45bb9601188a0486108d3e4ce606e6f32664e0.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Hospitality](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777197978_560_d0ae0138609ab9de3057164133041c666ab290885d9daed3e6bc1309c034397f.gif\")
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