Melbourne car dealer claims he is a victim after two shootings target his home
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Former Melbourne car dealer Andew Triantafyllos claims he is a victim, not a criminal, after his home in Essendon was targeted by gunfire twice within a matter of days.
The Greek-Australian businessman says he has been subjected to violent extortion attempts following the shootings at his home.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Triantafyllos stated that he is no longer involved in “shady dealings” involving luxury cars, and the recent incidents have forced him to leave his family home.
Victoria Police are currently reviewing hours of surveillance footage in an effort to identify two armed men who calmly approached Triantafyllos‘ Essendon home and fired multiple shots last Friday. The assailants returned to the property around 5pm on Sunday, September 15, opening fire again.
The following day, Triantafyllos’ two-story home was listed for sale. Police had advised him to leave the area due to concerns for his safety.
In the past, Triantafyllos has been linked to over a dozen luxury car rental businesses accused of failing to return large deposits.
However, in his interview with the Herald Sun, Triantafyllos reiterated that he is no longer involved in questionable business activities, despite the recent attacks that have forced him to abandon his family residence.
People connected to Triantafyllos believe he may be in danger if he does not “pay up.”
With the gunmen still at large and speculation swirling that Triantafyllos might still be living a high-flying lifestyle while allegedly defrauding others across Melbourne, his neighbours say they live in constant fear that the next shooting could lead to a tragedy.
“He must have a lot of enemies,” commented one resident of McCracken Street.
Several neighbours reported hearing a series of “bangs” on Sunday afternoon and emerged from their homes to find police swarming the area. The shooters were seen fleeing the scene in a dark-colored Holden Commodore, which had been parked at the corner.
So far, Triantafyllos and his family have escaped unscathed. He was believed to be home at the time of the shooting with his 32-year-old wife.
Last weekend’s shootings are the latest in a string of targeted attacks on Triantafyllos’ property. These incidents have reportedly led him to seek private security, which has been spotted parked outside his home.
In May, arsonists rammed two cars in his garage before setting them on fire. Residents claim this was the third attack on his property in recent years, following a car bombing just a month earlier. Last year, arsonists torched another vehicle outside his home.
Triantafyllos’ dealings with customers and buyers have previously been labeled “misleading, deceptive, and unconscionable” after he failed to present evidence in court.
Once the director of VIP Executive Car Rentals, Triantafyllos was declared bankrupt in 2018 but claims to have recovered from his financial troubles.
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