Melbourne nursing homes under police guard as bikies target prominent aged care chain

Police are guarding at least seven aged care homes across Melbourne as a campaign of intimidation against an embattled property developer takes a sinister turn.

A drive-by shooting last week at one of the facilities, where a bullet hit the building, has sparked the police precaution, amid credible threats of further attacks linked to former property tycoon Simon Pitard.

Pitard – whose former conglomerate, Steller Property Group, collapsed in 2019 with debts of $617 million – had two cars outside his mansion on Brighton’s golden mile firebombed on October 27 in what police are calling a “targeted attack”.

The motive for the attack remains unknown, but three underworld and property industry sources, speaking anonymously given the nature of the incident, have linked the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang to the violence.

Uniformed police are on alert and actively patrolling aged care facilities run by the Arcare group after a threat was made against the businesses – the ownership of which is linked to Pitard by his father-in-law.

Arcare has also employed several private security guards to guard some of its retirement homes. The Age visited six Arcare facilities, with police cars parked outside two homes while private guards patrolled two other centres.

The company operates more than 60 residential aged care communities across the nation, which provide permanent accommodation for almost 5000 elderly residents.

Company records show Arcare Pty Ltd, the operating entity for Arcare, is part-owned by Russell Knowles, the father of Pitard’s wife, Skye.

The move to protect the facilities, housing hundreds of elderly residents, comes after two masked men in a white SUV fired shots at the Arcare facility in Maidstone on November 6.

“Officers were called to the scene after two males dressed in black, exited a white SUV on Hampstead Road just before 4.30am. Approximately 10 shots were fired before the pair fled the scene in the vehicle,” a spokesperson said.

“A bullet impacted the building, but nobody was physically injured during the incident.”

The attack has led to special protection measures, including armed police patrols, in the days since the attack.

Detectives have drawn up a list of likely targets connected to Arcare, including individuals, aged care facilities, luxury vehicles and private properties.

One source, with knowledge of the ongoing threats, said Knowles recently engaged several former members of the Australian Defence Force to provide “close personal protection services” for his daughter and extended family.

A letter to residents’ families from Arcare state operations manager Prab Kaur, which was also sent to The Age after a request for comment, said the organisation increased wellbeing support for residents, visitors and team members after the Maidstone incident, adding that it is also working closely with police and regulators.

“Arcare has taken proactive steps to increase security at our Victorian and interstate sites. Victoria Police also increased surveillance and patrols since the incident,” Kaur said in the letter.

“Please keep in mind that there is an active police investigation and Arcare have been directed not to publicly disclose any additional details.

“The wellbeing and safety of our residents, families and team members remain our highest priority and we thank you all for your resilience and support.”

Knowles declined to comment when contacted by this masthead on Tuesday. Simon and Skye Pitard were both approached for comment.

Skye Pitard is the registered owner of the multi-million-dollar Brighton mansion that was firebombed last month.

Property records reveal that she paid $9.1 million for the home in 2016, while her father’s company, Iswhen Pty Ltd, has registered a caveat on the title, indicating he could have helped finance the acquisition.

On October 27, several offenders rammed the front gates of the Manor Street residence and poured accelerant along the driveway and on two luxury cars, which were both destroyed in the early morning blaze.

This masthead was told by three sources, who asked not to be identified because of concerns for their safety, that the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang is suspected of orchestrating the attack on Pitard’s home, and is responsible for the threats against her father’s aged care empire.

Last week, within hours of the shooting in Maidstone, Victoria Police identified the Finks as an “organised crime priority” that would be targeted by members of Taskforce Echo, Operation Phoenix, and the Viper Taskforce.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Cheesman said the gang had been linked to acts of violence, arson and extortion, but made no mention of the ongoing attacks on Pitard and his family.

“My message to the Finks OMCG, and to any outlaw motorcycle gang that chooses to cause harm in our community, is very clear: if you choose to continue your involvement in serious and organised crime, Victoria Police is coming after you,” Cheesman said on November 6.

“Outlaw motorcycle gangs are always looking for opportunities to generate illicit wealth, and they will exploit people and businesses to achieve it,” Cheesman said.

Victoria Police declined to comment specifically on the force’s presence at the Arcare facilities.

“An investigation into the incident and any potential links to any other incidents remains ongoing. Members from Operation Phoenix are conducting proactive police patrols in the relevant areas,” a spokesperson said.

The Phoenix strategy includes using intelligence to identify likely targets and providing a visible police presence to deter attacks – a tactic used during multiple firebombings during Melbourne’s bar wars.

Anyone with any further information or who has witnessed any suspicious activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

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