Crime
Exclusive
Organised crime
Prosecution witness in Melbourne’s tobacco war allegedly firebombed into silence
A campaign of intimidation suspected of being waged by the crew of exiled gangland boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad is targeting witnesses and victims helping police.
- by Chris Vedelago, Marta Pascual Juanola and Erin Pearson
Latest
Men accused of firebombing Burgertory eatery paid $20,000 for the job, court told
Police allege that Wayle Mana – also known as “Chubby” – and his accomplices stole a car and torched the Caulfield burger store in November.
- by Erin Pearson
Exclusive
For subscribers
The weight loss guru and the alleged plot to blackmail his friend for $9 million home
Patrick Naegeli’s alleged plot against his millionaire friend came months after a judge made a ruling against the self-styled weight loss guru.
- by David Estcourt and Marta Pascual Juanola
Updated
Melbourne
Murder probe launched after woman’s body found at Melbourne tip
Police believe the woman’s remains were inside a bin that was picked up outside a property in Coolaroo on Tuesday and taken to Epping.
- by Lachlan Abbott
Man dies, another arrested in Brighton
Police were called to a home on Foote Street and found an injured man about 8.30pm on Friday night.
- by Lachlan Abbott
Alleged ‘puppeteer’ brother of tobacco war kingpin released on bail
The brother of an alleged organised crime kingpin has been granted bail despite fears he’s a flight risk and player in a violent illicit tobacco syndicate.
- by Rebecca Peppiatt and Marta Pascual Juanola
Analysis
Naked City
A new profile of Mr Cruel, who may have been a burglar before he was a killer
A US crime profile says Mr Cruel was a burglar who escalated to abducting girls. “It is an addiction. You build a tolerance and have to up the game to get the thrill.”
- by John Silvester
Podcast
Trial by Water
Trial By Water, Episode 5: The ‘golden thread’
Listen now to the final episode of the hit investigative podcast about the case of Robert Farquharson.
- by Michael Bachelard and Ruby Schwartz
Exclusive
Domestic violence
The true picture of Melbourne’s family violence: 2700 arrests in five months
A police blitz in the south-east suburbs has caught 2700 family-violence offenders in five months, as Safe Steps warns more perpetrators are strangling victims.
- by Wendy Tuohy
Bail for former Home and Away star who stomped on woman’s head
Orpheus Pledger, who previously fled from a court-ordered hospital assessment while out on bail, will live with his father while awaiting sentencing.
- by Erin Pearson
Girls arrested, males flee scene after ‘cowardly’ fatal crash in Melbourne’s east
Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested and up to four young men are on the run after the alleged stolen car they were travelling in crashed into another vehicle.
- by Holly Hales