Nightclub promoter believed to be intended target of botched kidnapping

Police believe the kidnapping and assault of a Malvern man held hostage this month was a botched attempt to target a prominent promoter behind some of Melbourne’s most popular nightclub events.

The alleged details of the mistaken-identity kidnapping follow revelations that offenders involved in the ongoing nightlife crime spree have used a drone on at least one occasion to surveil a target before carrying out a venue attack.

Three teenagers are accused of holding the Malvern man hostage and seriously assaulting him before dumping him outside Northern Hospital in Epping the following day.

Detectives from the armed crime squad arrested the three on Wednesday. They are accused of carrying out six attacks, including the kidnapping, over a five-day period this month.

Detectives believe the attacks were targeting nightclub promoters running the popular Alumbra event on Saturday nights at the Albion Hotel in South Melbourne.

The three teenagers, who appeared briefly in the Children’s Court on Thursday for a filing hearing, are believed to have been targeting club promoter Paul Samlidis, who is involved in the running of Alumbra events, when they allegedly carried out an attempted kidnapping on April 9 at a Templestowe address.

It is alleged the 17-year-olds were armed with a baton, hatchet and samurai sword when they broke into the home.

The trio are also accused of carrying out a carjacking and two attempted home invasions on April 12 and 13 at a Wollert address, targeting one of Samlidis’ associates.

The associate is a part of a company that runs some of Melbourne’s most popular clubbing nights, including Levels at Brown Alley, Mango Club at La Di Da and the Alumbra night at the Albion.

The prominent nightlife company has been linked to a fire at an Epping address, in which a bakery was accidentally torched but the intended target was the company’s office space.

A note was left outside that said: “[Name redacted] your [sic] next.”

Arson squad detective inspector Chris Murray told venue owners in a police briefing on Thursday to review people they have running events at their premises. A recording of the briefing was obtained by The Age.

All liquor licensees in the Port Phillip and Stonnington area were invited to attend the briefing, which detailed the ongoing police investigation into the rampant crime spree.

On Thursday, Gotham City brothel in South Melbourne became the latest site to be targeted in the wave of violence, marking the 28th known incident linked to the attacks. Unknown offenders fired shots at the venue about 1.45am on Thursday, hitting its roller door and a nearby parked car.

It is the third known drive-by shooting linked to the attacks.

This masthead revealed on Tuesday that the owner was previously threatened by a man outside the Cecil Street brothel and warned his venue was on a list of targets.

The man who made the threat was captured on CCTV last week in a stolen car surveilling the venue.

Murray told attendees at the briefing that only one venue so far had reported to police that a threat had been made before it was attacked.

“They’re targeting individuals, obviously, for a reason. For organised crime there has to be a benefit.”

The detective also shared theories with the group on potential motives, including the forced sale of illicit alcohol and cocaine at venues. It is not suggested Samlidis is involved in any such activity.

A specialised taskforce set up this week is investigating whether any club promoters linked to the attacks may be involved in the illicit drug and alcohol trade.

But Murray acknowledged the shooting at Gotham City, which does not have a liquor licence, made the theory of illicit alcohol sales less convincing.

The arson detective said he believed that at some point an extortion demand would be made, forcing venue owners to pay a “tax” akin to the demands made on those selling illicit tobacco.

“Review who your venue promoters are – are they the problem, are they bringing the problem with them to your venue?” Murray said, speaking generally.

Police are aware that offenders have been conducting reconnaissance, filming venues and co-ordinating with whoever ordered attacks. In one instance, a drone was flown to get an overview of a venue.

The list of targeted venues includes Albion Hotel, The Osborne and Soho, Left Bank, Bar Bambi and France-Soir restaurant. Two strip clubs, Kittens and The Men’s Gallery, have also been targeted with arson attacks and a drive-by shooting.

The mysterious syndicate orchestrating the attacks is predominantly recruiting youths to carry out the violence, contacting them via encrypted messaging apps.

The three teenagers who appeared in court on Thursday were remanded in custody to appear again at a later date.

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