"The victim has no criminal association and no association with the Mongols," she said. "Mr Virgona has no criminal associates and there is nothing in his background that would suggest that anything he or his family have done have been part of the reason why he's been the victim of this heinous crime." Accused killers Josh Rider, 29, from Port Melbourne and Aaron Ong, 35, from Kilsyth, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning and sat shoulder-to-shoulder in matching grey tracksuits. Josh Rider outside Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Credit:Nine News Both heavily tattooed men, sporting grazes and bruising on their faces, were remanded to face court again via video link on May 27. Aaron Ong as he was driven to Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Credit:Nine News

Crown prosecutor Jonothan McCarthy said police were waiting for the results of a pathology report and forensic testing of other items. Pre-dawn raids The Mongols' Port Melbourne and Ferntree Gully clubhouses and the South Melbourne tattoo parlour co-owned by ex-bikie Toby Mitchell and former Richmond footballer Jake King were among the properties raided by police in the early hours of Wednesday morning. King, who was seen casually talking to officers at the City of Ink tattoo shop on Clarendon Street, and Mitchell are not accused of any involvement or wrongdoing. Paul Virgona was killed when the van he was driving was sprayed with bullets.

Police seized six guns, a speedboat and what they suspect are drugs in the raids. Ballistic tests are under way to determine if any of the guns were used in Mr Virgona's murder. A third man was being interviewed over gun and drug matters. The two men are accused of waiting for the fruiterer to leave his family home in Croydon and following him in a stolen Mercedes-Benz sedan. They allegedly opened fire just after Mr Virgona passed through the Melba Tunnel, before speeding off and leaving him dead in his van in the middle of the road. Police search a car parked on Lalor Street, Port Melbourne during the raid. Credit:Simon Schluter

Police say the alleged killers switched to a getaway car, a Volkswagen Amarok utility, before dumping it and running into a park. Police released images of a distinctive Nike top, believed to have been dropped by one of the suspects as they ran through Marie Wallace Bayswater Park after they abandoned the Amarok near Mountain Highway. At a press conference earlier this month, police revealed they had been able to establish a link to organised crime but were unable to identify a motive for the killing. Mr Virgona's 17-year-old son Luca, accompanied by his mother Antonietta, said his father was a unique, hardworking man who inspired his family to fulfil their dreams. "The death of my father has left us distraught and will forever do so as this is a life sentence," he said.

The last time Luca saw his father was the night before the murder. The pair talked excitedly about football and Mr Virgona's new role as a local footy coach at the Croydon Football and Netball Club for the 2020 season. Friends described Mr Virgona as quiet family man who "never ever hinted he was in trouble". Mr Virgona was found dead in the driver's seat of his white van on EastLink. Credit:Nine News On Wednesday morning, police from the homicide squad, the anti-bikie Echo Taskforce and others raided properties in Montrose, Kilsyth, Lilydale, Tecoma, Wantirna South, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Southbank, Noble Park, Croydon and Ferntree Gully.

Police are continuing to search a home on Lalor Street, Port Melbourne, where a large mural of Batman character the Joker is painted on the garage door. Police outside the Port Melbourne property where one of the alleged killers was arrested. Credit:AAP A nearby resident said police used a battering ram on the door, before a man they called "Josh" crawled outside in the pre-dawn raid. "About 5am the lights from the helicopter came on the house. Then the PA, 'come out you’re surrounded'," the resident said. "He came out in just his undies and they made him crawl onto the road. It was full on. I don’t know what you call them, but the SWAT team, huge guns. They had him sitting on the road for about 20 minutes."

Police raid a property on Lalor St, Port Melbourne on Wednesday morning. Credit:Simon Schluter A 30-year-old Montrose man was arrested in Kilsyth and will now be interviewed by detectives from the Echo Taskforce in relation to drug offences. Police removed dogs from property on Lalor Street, Port Melbourne, during Wednesday morning's raids. Credit:Simon Schluter Assistant Commissioner Walsh said Wednesday’s arrests and raids were the result of months of hard work by the Echo Taskforce, homicide squad and other units across Victoria Police. "We understand that any time there is an incident involving illicit firearms, particularly one that results in someone being killed in this way, there is enormous concern in the community," she said.

The investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.