Apex (gang)

Apex is a street gang in Melbourne, Australia. Most of these members are from African countries, including South Sudan. Formed in around 2014, it was named after Apex street in Dandenong where the founding members resided. 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 large scale brawl in Melbourne's Central Business District between it and the rival Islander 23 gang in March 2016[2] after the Moomba parade. Apex members are known to wear white bandanas.

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.[3]

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 at Dandenong station. The officer in question took leave after being traumatised by the threats.<ref name-"shoot"> Hosking, Wes Apex gang member reportedly threatens to shoot police officer at Dandenong station March 11, 2016 Herald Sun Retrieved March 16, 2016</ref>[4]

Police crackdown

After the Moomba brawl, a 17 year old man linked to Apex was arrested for a series of home invasions and thefts.[5] As of April 14th more than 33 suspected gang members had been arrested.[6] 34 people were charged over the Moomba brawl, including some with links to Apex.[7]

Gang makeup

The gang is primarily composed of young Sudanese men and boys.[8][9] 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 Somalian, Ethiopian, Caucasian, Afghan, Asian and Indian descent.[2][10]

Rivals

References

  1. ↑ Ashton, Graham Police do not tiptoe around gangs because of skin colour March 16, 2016 The Age Retrieved March 17, 2016
  2. 1 2 Melbourne CBD brawl: Who are the Apex gang? March 14, 2016 The Age Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  3. ↑ Dowling, James & Buttler, Mark Heavily armed police swoop on Apex suspects in Dandenong arrest March 14, 2016 Herald Sun Retrieved March 23, 2016
  4. ↑ Cowie, Tom Violent car thief threatens to shoot officer investigating Apex gang March 11, 2016 The Age Retrieved March 15, 2016
  5. ↑ Dobbin, Marika Boy with links to violent Apex gang arrested over armed burglaries March 16, 2016 The Age Retrieved May 3, 2016
  6. ↑ Calligeros, Marissa Suspected Apex gang members arrested in Noble Park, Dandenong raids April 14, 2016 The Age Retrieved May 3, 2016
  7. ↑ Cowie, Tom Police charge 34, some with links to Apex, over Moomba riots April 29, 2016 The Age Retrieved May 3, 2016
  8. ↑ Silvester, John Melbourne riot: Gang violence calls for 'carrot and stick' response March 14, 2016 The Age Retrieved March 16, 2016
  9. ↑ Azzi, Martha and Tran, Cindy Police dismissed warning of a riot threat for central Melbourne as 'sh*t' - hours before the violent Sudanese-based Apex gang rampaged through the streets in a vicious rolling brawl involving 100 people March 13, 2016 Daily Mail Retrieved March 16, 2016
  10. ↑ Gordon, Josh Dan Andrews was right to take a sledgehammer to a delicate problem March 17, 2016 The Age Retrieved March 17, 2016
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