Nightclub sources have claimed the recent attacks on Love Machine involving Comanchero members had prompted the sudden resignation of several security guards.
The venue’s management announced on social media it would be closed on Saturday night, although claimed this was “due to unexpected plumbing issues.”
The police spokeswoman said the investigation into both matters was ongoing.
In June last year, the operators of Love Machine were slapped with a $20,000 fine by the Victorian Liquor Commission over repeated breaches of the venue’s licensing conditions. The popular nightclub and its management team were warned it would face much harsher sanctions, including cancellation of its licence, if it appeared before the commission again.
“The commission – in no uncertain terms – said that the licence was under scrutiny, and that with the findings against the licensee company, it has a record,” a Liquor Commission report published on June 13, 2024, said.
In April 2019, the venue found itself at the centre of a major police investigation after a hail of bullets was fired at the club from a 32-calibre assault rifle. Security guard Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, died at the scene and Richard Arow, 28, died from his injuries days later. Three others were struck by bullets and another was injured trying to avoid the attack.
Aaron Khalid Osmani (left) and Richard Arow were gunned down outside the Love Machine nightclub in 2019.
Jacob Elliott, 18, and Allan Fares, 22, were convicted of two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder over the shooting. They were handed life sentences, with minimum terms of 29 years and 27 years respectively.
Love Machine, which has previously been the target of separate extortion rackets by the Comanchero and Finks motorcycle gangs, reopened in November 2018 after a multimillion-dollar renovation by Sterling Nightclub Pty Ltd.
Sterling Nightclub director Dhir Kakar did not respond to requests for comment.
Anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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