An alleged $2 million theft from a notorious motorcyclist’s safe was the motive behind the late-night drive-by shooting of a lavish mansion, a court has heard.
On March 1, seven shots were fired from a stolen BMW X3 at the $4.3 million six-bedroom house in Robertson, on the outskirts of Brisbane, while a woman and children slept in it.
According to police facts presented to the Brisbane High Court, there was a retaliatory firing after $2 million was “stolen from a safe” on the grounds of Hello Lifestyle car lottery company in an industrial estate in Meadowbrook.
The company was reportedly run by Jason Eneli Roberts, 39, who has “strong ties to the Comancheros outlaw biker gang” and was charged in the shooting.
Police allege Roberts suggested to officers that Justin Chong Tan “orchestrated the robbery,” The courier mail reported.
Mr. Tan is a co-owner of “pimp my ride” style car customization company Vogue Industries, a neighboring company of Hello Lifestyle on the Meadowbrook industrial complex.
Mr Tan has not been charged with any crime.
“Roberts is aware that Tan is wealthy and expects Tan and his new business partner Phi Long Nguyen, 45, who is based abroad, to cover the $2 million loss,” police said.
The details emerged in documents filed with the Supreme Court on a recent bail application for co-defendant Joshua John Lucey, 36, another of six men charged in connection with the shooting.
Joshua John Lucey (pictured in 2021) is one of six men charged in a late-night drive-by shooting in Brisbane’s suburbs on March 1
Tan’s ex-wife I-Ling Chien, also known as Eiling Chien, 42, was at home with their three children when shots were fired at their home shortly after 11pm on March 1.
The court heard Ms Chien tell police she believes her ex-husband’s business partner, Long Le Bao Huynh, “went into business with Hello Lifestyle and was in debt to them because they supplied the company with encumbered vehicles.”
“Hello Lifestyle has recently received media attention for winners of the vehicles who had to return the vehicle because they were goods encumbered with money debts on the vehicles,” the police statement of the alleged facts said.
Ms Chien told police she believes the drive-by shooting of her home may be related to her failing to comply with a demand from one of her ex-husband’s businesses to be one of the “highly regarded” leaving Mr. Tan’s cars on the street with the keys. inside ‘and don’t ask questions’.
Two people later came to her house “to take the car,” but left when she called the police, court documents show.
On March 1, seven shots were fired at this Robertson home on the outskirts of Brisbane
Neither Ms. Chien, Mr. Nguyen, nor Mr. Huynh have been charged with wrongdoing.
Police will also allege that Roberts used multiple SIM cards on a cell phone to kill Mr. Tan via encrypted WhatsApp threats to text.
“Do you think we’re playing now? Tell Leon this won’t stop until he pays the 2 million he owes. Or we’ll keep going to you,” the first text message two days after the drive-by shooting.
A follow-up text the next day read, “ListenUp, the next attack is your goddamn kids, and whoever the goddamn U think U’s gonna help, we’ll suture their goddamn kids (SIC). Please try me. I beg you. Try if I’m just talking’.
“You are responsible for Leon. The only way this ends is for Leon to pay for what he said. He pays the 2M, this all goes away or the attacks continue to rise to U’.
A third text sent a week later read, “To you, Mr. Justin Tan. You also just think I’m an idiot. As I told your mate, both of you have made your position very clear. Neither of you has done anything to make things right or show good faith. I consider this a blemish (SIC) on the face and you have a lot more to lose here (SIC), my friend. So you better start scrambling (SIC) because (capital letters are in text) NO MORE WARNING SHOT CANCELLED MY FRIEND.”
Mr Tan called the police after the final text also included his sister’s address.
It is believed that he is currently working and living in Papua New Guinea.
A court has heard Jason Eneli Roberts claim to police that a co-owner of “pimp my ride” style car customization company Vogue Industries (pictured) had “orchestrated” the alleged theft of $2 million from a corporate vault
Roberts’ co-defendant Lucey, 36, will appear in court again on May 8 after being released on $100,000 bail earlier this month.
Lucey must wear a GPS tracker as part of his strict bail conditions.
Police claim Lucey, 36, is “a confirmed Bandido member of the Logan City chapter likely trying to transfer to the Comancheros.
“Current associations suggest he has either recovered or is a close associate of the Comacheros,” court documents read.
“Recent information suggests that Lucey … has performed duties for the outlaw biker gang, including enforcement duties and acts of violence,” the appeal to the bail statement states.
The four other men charged with the March 1 drive-by shooting and the theft, use and burning of getaway cars are all believed to be connected to Bandidos, according to court documents.
Roberts, also the owner of Royal Fadez barber shop in Brisbane, remains behind bars.
Jason Eneli Roberts’ co-defendant Joshua John Lucey (pictured) was recently released on bail and will appear in court again next month
