Apex (gang)

Apex is a street gang in Melbourne, Australia. It was formed in 2012. The founding members were part of Victoria's South Sudanese community, although the gang later became more diverse,^[1] particularly after it merged with the YCW gang. Associated with violent car-jackings and burglaries, Apex came to prominence in the national media after a brawl in Melbourne's Central Business District between it and the rival Islander 23 gang in March 2016^[2] after the Moomba parade. This prompted a crackdown by Victoria Police.^[3][4] They apparently have little structure and no official colours.^[5]

History

Conflict with YCW

In January 2015 police became aware of Apex after a fight between the gang and another group named "Young Crucified Warriors" (YCW) in Hampton Park. Two months later YCW was absorbed into Apex.^[6]

Carjackings

Apex gang members have been connected with car-jackings since at least 2015.^[7] Two 18-year old suspected gang members were arrested in March 2016 for a series of car-jackings in South East Melbourne.^[8] A violent carjacking of a Mercedes in April 2016, where the vehicle was later used in a burglary, was blamed on Apex by police.^[9][10]

Threats against police

In March 2016 it was reported that a young member of the gang had threatened to shoot a female police officer at a police station in Dandenong. The officer in question took leave after being traumatised by the threats.^[11][12]

Moomba brawl

After the Moomba festival fireworks on the night of Saturday 13 March 2016, starting at around 8pm, there was a brawl in and around Federation Square in Melbourne's Central Business District, largely between members of Apex and Islander 23.^[13] Around 200 mostly young men participated in the brawl, which had been posted about on social media beforehand.^[2]

The police had been notified prior to the riot by a triple 0 emergency call from a Channel 7 reporter, but the warning was dismissed by senior police as "shit".^[3][14] There was widespread fear and panic in the city as onlookers ran for cover, trams stopped running, and Swanston Street was closed down.^[15] Four people were arrested on the night, two for drunkenness, one for carrying a taser, and another for knocking a police officer's phone or radio into their face.^[3] There was a large amount of media coverage due to the public nature of the brawl.^{[1][2][3][4][13]}

Police crackdown

After the Moomba brawl, a 17 year old boy linked to Apex was arrested for a series of home invasions and thefts.^[16] As of 14 April 2016 more than 33 suspected gang members had been arrested.^[17] 34 people were charged over the Moomba brawl, including some with links to Apex.^[4]

Claims of racism

There have been varying claims of racism in relation to Apex, the Moomba brawl, and related crimes. An Apex member speaking under the assumed name of "James" claimed to have been present at the Moomba brawl but not involved stated that media reports were exaggerated, that he "wouldn't call Apex a gang", and that he didn't know of organised criminal activity within Apex. He stated it was racist that police were only targeting Apex, and not the other group involved.^[18][19] After Border Force chief Roman Quaedvlieg stated that Apex members could be deported under legislation previously used to deport outlaw motorcycle club members, there were claims by Anthony Kelly, head of the Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre that this was would be inherently racist, and akin to apartheid.^[20]

There have also been claims that there was police inaction against Apex due to political correctness and fears of being accused of racism.^[21][22][23]

Deportations

In April 2016 an associate of the Apex gang was deported to New Zealand after his visa was revoked. In November 2016 two people associated with the gang had their visas revoked, and will be deported to their place of birth. One of the men, a 20-year-old born in New Zealand, was sentenced to 27 months in January 2016. His offences included armed robbery, theft and arson.^[24]

Gang makeup

The gang is primarily composed of young Sudanese men and boys.^[23][25] It also has a number of members from Pacific Islander backgrounds, particularly from its merger with the YCW gang, as well as minority amounts of members from Caucasian, Indian and Afghan descent.^[2][26]

Police response

In November 2015 Taskforce Tense was created to catch members of the Apex gang. The taskforce was later renamed Operation Cosmas and expanded across Victoria.^[27]

References