Comanchero bikie gang linked to WA tobacco war with member Pirikatea Wyllie charged over store threat

A wannabe Comanchero bikie has been bailed after spending a night behind bars, after allegedly threatening to firebomb a Rockingham convenience store amid WA’s ongoing tobacco wars. Pirikatea Whaitiri Mckay Wyllie appeared in custody at Rockingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing a charge of threats with intent to gain benefit. But, in court, police claimed more charges could be on the way for the Comanchero nominee. The heavily tattooed Mr Wyllie wore a black shirt torn at the shoulder and didn’t speak as he was led to the dock. Lawyer Nick Scerri applied for bail on behalf of the 38-year-old and indicated his client planned to plead not guilty. Bail was opposed by the police prosecutor, who had fears that Mr Wyllie might threaten witnesses upon his release from custody. The prosecutor told the court that two men in disguise entered Rockingham Convenience and Tobacco at 2.45pm on Wednesday. The pair told the person inside to “close the shop now, stop trading, or you’ll get fire bombed”. A piece of paper was then handed over with directions to contact a user named CHANCE.56 via the Signal app. The interaction was caught on CCTV, as was the pair leaving in a white Holden Commodore registered to Mr Wyllie’s partner. The police prosecutor said the case hangs on Mr Wyllie’s connection to the car and on clothing found inside the car, which matches what the suspects were wearing in the CCTV footage. Mr Wyllie was allegedly found by detectives inside the Commodore on Hancock Avenue in Aveley, about 80km north of the convenience store, about 5.25pm on the same day. He was arrested as part of Taskforce Maverick, which was launched in 2025 after a string of arson attacks on businesses. When arguing for bail, Mr Scerri said it wasn’t a “slam dunk case”, and the accusations were a “stretch”. Mr Scerri said his client had strong family ties in WA, despite moving here from New Zealand 15 years ago. He said Mr Wyllie was “pro-social”, with a FIFO job in the crane industry, owns his Aveley home and a motorcycle he’s paying off. “He has no history of offending in NZ, and only a driving charge in WA,” Mr Scerri added. Mr Scerri said there were issues of credibility, adding: “If the store being referred to in these facts is one selling illegal tobacco, and someone engaging in alleged illegal conduct is the one bringing the complaint, there are issues of credibility.” Magistrate Sarah Oliver cut in, telling Mr Scerri that someone selling illegal tobacco would pay a fine, which is different to firebombing a store. “I think your bail application is stronger without going down that path,” Ms Oliver added. Ms Oliver granted Mr Wyllie bail but banned him from entering Rockingham, from being within 500m of the airport or travelling south on the Kwinana Freeway. “Police say Mr Wyllie threatened Rockingham Convenience and Tobacco that if they continued to operate the business, they’d be firebombed,” Ms Oliver added. “While police may be considering further charges, the grant of bail relates to the charge before me. “The accused has no criminal record, has links to the community, resides some distance from the shop in question, and there are conditions that can be imposed to prevent reoffending.” Ms Oliver ordered Mr Wyllie to surrender his passport, not have any electronic device with applications for encrypted communications installed and to provide his electronic devices to police. Mr Wyllie was subject to $10,000 in personal bail and a $5000 surety. Footage taken on Wednesday night showed Mr Wyllie’s partner’s white Holden Commodore being placed on the back of a tow truck. Detectives were observed entering a nearby property where a black motorcycle was seen in the garage. On Thursday, a security guard was stationed at the Rockingham convenience store on Railway Terrace. This comes just days after a tobacco shop in Kelmscott was severely damaged in a ram-raid and arson attack. Police believe a car was used to create an entry point to the shop before fuel was poured inside the store and set alight about 3.30am on Tuesday. It is understood police made multiple attempts to warn the owner about the threats posed by organised crime groups, including by visiting his store a day before the threat and by calling him on Monday. Detectives from Taskforce Maverick are treating the Kelmscott incident as being linked to the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco.