FORMER Richmond AFL player Jake King has been charged with making threats to kill, while Hawthorn player Tyrone Vickery is being investigated over extortion claims.

King and his former Richmond teammate Vickery were arrested on Wednesday afternoon.

King, 33, was charged with threats to kill, making threats to kill, two counts of threats to inflict serious injury and two counts of using a carriage service to harass.

He was bailed and will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 15.

Round 18

Vickery, 27, was released pending further investigations.

Police had earlier confirmed confirmed a 33-year-old Thornbury man and a 27-year-old Wheelers Hill man were arrested on Wednesday afternoon following an investigation into extortion and threats.

Search warrants have been executed in Wheelers Hill, South Melbourne and Thornbury. The investigation is ongoing.

Ty Vickery. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

“Hawthorn Football Club is aware that Ty Vickery is assisting police in an investigation,” the Hawks said in a statement.

“As the matter is under investigation the club will not be making further comment at this time.”

Vickery moved from Richmond to Hawthorn at the end of the 2016 season. The 27-year-old signed a two-year deal worth around $1 million.

The Herald Sun reports the men were arrested in Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, outside tattoo parlour City of Ink. The parlour is owned by King and jailed underworld figure Toby Mitchell.

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- WITH AAP