Wooroloo Mercanti shooting could be the beginning of a war between bikie gangs.

member of the Finks bikie gang, believed to be from Western Australia, was shot in the shoulder during the incident at Wooroloo, 55km east of Perth, on Sunday. Police would not comment on whether other motorcycle gangs were involved but it is suspected the Finks main rivals, the Coffin Cheaters, may be. Police would not reveal the name or age of the man who was shot. He was in a stable condition yesterday in Royal Perth Hospital. Another man was injured falling from his motorcycle during the shooting but was not admitted to hospital.
Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Gregson said he was concerned that the incident could be the beginning of a war between bikie gangs. "Yes, that is a concern, that there could be tension between bikie gangs and that tension could escalate into violence," Mr Gregson said. The Finks, who have been well established in South Australia, Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory, have reportedly been trying to establish a chapter in Western Australia. Former high-profile Coffin Cheater member Troy Mercanti is understood to have joined the Finks after being kicked out of the Coffin Cheaters. South Australia Police Detective Superintendent Des Bray, from the Crime Gangs Taskforce, said Mr Mercanti had been in South Australia recently and was wearing Finks colours. "We suspect that some of the people joining the club (the Finks) will be ex-Coffin Cheater members," Mr Bray said. SA has recently introduced tougher laws targeting outlaw bikie gangs. Mr Gregson said this might be one reason why Finks members were heading west. "The perception in South Australia may well be that it's too hot to do business," he said. "If we see that's effective legislation, it is something I would be happy to discuss with the Government." Mr Gregson said that although WA police had a strong focus on outlaw motorcycle gangs, they were powerless to prevent bikies crossing state borders.