REMEMBER WHEN

“DEAR Mr policemen, I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you came looking for me.”

That was the taunting and defiant note that fugitive bikie Shane Scott Bowden left for police when they raided the Finks’ Gold Coast clubhouse and an industrial site they operate, both in Wrights Place, Labrador, at 5.25am

Bowden reportedly left a similar message mocking police on a telephone answering machine.

The industrial site, which had two skulls on the gateposts and a Gold Coast City Council sign advising of a dangerous dog, was on the other side of the small street to their main clubhouse.

It had been home to Bowden at the time of the “ballroom blitz” at the kickboxing event at Royal Pines Resort on March 18 which saw Finks and Hells Angels members clash in a violent brawl involving guns, knives, fists and boots. Five men were either shot or stabbed in the mini war.

Detectives working on Operation Echo Short took out a warrant for the arrest of Bowden, 33, for the attempted murder of a Hells Angel bikie who had “patched across” from the Finks in October 2005. The Hells Angels member was shot twice during the fight.

Surfers Paradise CIB boss Detective Inspector John Hartwell said police found evidence that Bowden had been staying at the fortified industrial site, which included a panel beating shop and a number of large sheds.

“There were personal belongings, mail and clothing that showed he had been staying there, although it is not clear when he left,” he said.