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Canberra Today 24°/26° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Police charge man with bikie chief’s murder

Superintendent of criminal investigations Scott Moller.

EARLY this morning (August 5) police arrested a 26-year-old for the murder of bikie chief Pitasoni Ulavalu, who died following a fight at Kokomo’s bar in Civic last month. 

Police were alerted to the 26-year-old, who was at Canberra Hospital with a man suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

“A man presented to hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. At the time he was accompanied by the man that will face the court for murdering 48-year-old Pitasoni Ulavalu, so he was arrested at that time,” said superintendent of criminal investigations Scott Moller. 

Superintendent Moller said he could not comment on the man who had been shot or the circumstances of the shooting at this stage. 

He is stable, undergoing surgery, and hasn’t been charged in relation to Comanchero commander Pitasoni Ulavalu’s death, but is a person of interest, said the superintendent. 

However, two other men, a 22-year-old and a 23-year-old, were also arrested in relation to the commander’s murder. They will face the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, on charges of affray, relating to the stabbing.

The 26-year-old will face the ACT Magistrates Court tomorrow charged with the murder of the Comanchero commander.

This investigation remains ongoing and I expect further arrests and further charges to be laid in relation to the death of Comanchero commander Pitasoni,” superintendent Moller said. 

Mr Moller said the the arrests have links to the Comanchero bikie gang. Some are ACT residents but not all, he said.  

“The really troubling factor of this is it involves members of outlaw motorcycle gangs so they’re not willing to discuss things with police usually so this is a particularly complex matter,” he said. 

“I expect there will be further arrests and more charges laid.” 

Bikie gang chief dies in bar fight

ACT Policing is urging anyone who may have any further information in relation to the murder of Pitasoni Ulavalu to contact Police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or via https://act.crimestoppers.com.au.

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