Bikie gangs in Sydney: ‘Eric the Wolf’ charged with kidnapping

THE alleged head of the Lone Wolf Bikie gang known as “Eric the Wolf’’ has been arrested and charged with kidnapping a drug dealer who weeks later was shot dead in front of his fiance in Western Sydney. Erkan Keskin appeared via video link in Central Court yesterday to face a string of charges including kidnapping, lying to the crime commission and demanding menaces with intention to steal.

The charges relate to the alleged kidnapping of Mehmet Yilmaz, 29, prior to his murder outside the home of Commanchero bikie Tayan Chandab at St Marys on September 9 last year. Keskin has not been charged with his murder.

No one has been charged over the murder which is one of eight gangland slayings being investigated by a dedicated Homicide Squad Strike Force known as Osprey. It was launched days after Mafioso kingpin Pasquale Barbaro was shot dead at Condell Park last November.



Police released CCTV following the murder of Mehmet Yilmaz.

“The charges relate to an alleged kidnapping of Mr Yilmaz in the weeks before his murder,” a police spokesman said.

Homicide detectives arrested Keskin at his luxury Kent Street apartment on Thursday morning.
“Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad established Strike Force Estop to investigate the murder of Mehmet Yilmaz at St Marys on Friday 9 September 2016,’’ police said yesterday.

Keskin, a former Turkish soldier lodged a bail application in Central Court yesterday. He is also charged with revealing conversations with the crime commission. In opposing bail police said they believed there was a danger to witnesses in the case.
“I have concerns for witnesses involved, serious concerns,’’ said Detective Senior Constable Matthew Shenke from the NSW Homidicde Squad.

The court also heard Keskin was already on bail in relation to drug charges in Queensland. A further hearing to determine bail will be heard next week.


Australia - BN.

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