Police raided the Bandidos Brunswick clubhouse on Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of a man whose body was found near the Keilor cemetery in May.
Homicide Squad detectives and the Special Operations Group executed the search warrant in the early hours of the morning and have released an image and CCTV vision of victim Michael Strike in the hope it will assist in their investigation.
Mr Strike’s body was found in a pool of blood and propped up against a tree by a passerby in Thor Court on Sunday, May 25, about 11.30am.
Homicide investigators have spent the past six months trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the 38-year-old Dandenong man’s death, which has been deemed suspicious.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Michael Hughes said the investigation had progressed steadily however they now need assistance in establishing Mr Strike’s movements prior to his death.
Investigators have established that Mr Strike arrived in Brunswick about 4.15pm on Saturday, May 24, and spent some time by himself at a hotel in Weston Street before leaving just after 5.20pm.
He can then be seen on CCTV walking east along Weston Street, but investigators have not been able to account for Mr Strike’s whereabouts after this time.
“The warrant today will hopefully assist with our investigation as we do believe that Michael visited the Bandido’s clubhouse shortly after he is seen walking down Weston Street on the CCTV,” Detective Inspector Hughes said.
“We are not saying that the death of Michael definitely involves an outlaw motorcycle gang but we are able to confirm that this has formed one avenue of our enquiries.
“Michael was not a member of the Bandidos, however whether or not he was associated with anyone who is part of an outlaw motorcycle gang is part of this investigation.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
