ORGANISED crime figure Leonard Gjeka has escaped from federal detention in a brazen pre-dawn breakout — and SA Police fear the migrant with a history of “extreme violence” will return to Adelaide.

About 12.40am SA time on Wednesday, Gjeka and fellow detainee Michael Dobson donned balaclavas and used bolt cutters to escape the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre, in Melbourne’s northwest.

Having broken through the facility’s boundary fence, the pair and two accomplices — who provided the tools, masks and “outside assistance” — fled on waiting motorbikes.

Gjeka, an Albanian immigrant recently declared an unlawful resident, infamously survived two assassination attempts and was once charged over a shooting in the CBD.

Authorities suspect Gjeka may be headed for South Australia — a prospect that sources claim will be “of great concern” to many people in the state’s underworld.

“Leonard Gjeka was part of the meth scene here in Adelaide and is known for two things: violence and drugs,” a source said.

“He was very involved with Vince Focarelli and was, at one stage, his right-hand man before they had a falling out.

“Clearly, he didn’t want to go back to Albania.”

Acting Detective Superintendent Steve Taylor, from SA Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Branch, called for public help locating Gjeka, but warned he should not be approached.

“His history shows he is capable of extreme violence, including the use of firearms,” Supt Taylor said.

“He has links to organised crime, including outlaw motorcycle gangs, and has also been on the receiving end of violence from these groups.”

Gjeka, 32, and Dobson, 51, of New Zealand, were awaiting deportation after having been declared unlawful in the community.

Detention centre staff alerted Victoria Police to the escape but the two were not located.

Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison said one man’s visa had been cancelled “on character grounds”, while the other’s visa application had been refused.

He did not identify which breach related to which man.

Mr Morrison said the incident would be investigated by the new Department of Immigration and Border Protection Detention Assurance Team.

“The circumstances of their unlawful exit from detention are a matter of concern for the Government as there is strong evidence that they received outside assistance,” he said.

Victoria Police’s Fugitive Taskforce is also investigating the matter.

In 2006, Gjeka was arrested and charged with attempting to murder a man in the CBD in January of that year.

However, those charges were dismissed “for want of prosecution” when Gjeka faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court in May of that year.

In 2009 Gjeka was arrested on one aggravated count of intentionally causing serious harm.

That charge related to allegations Gjeka had “kneecapped” a man outside the San Giorgio pizza bar, on Rundle St, by shooting him in the back of the leg.

While on bail and awaiting trial, Gjeka was shot through the door of his Mount Barker home — allegedly by two men disguised as Telstra workers — in March 2010.

Russell James Logan and Brett Matthew Murch pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Gjeka in exchange for $50,000 and further denied having made another attempt on his life in February 2010.

Logan and Murch were found guilty, but their convictions were subsequently overturned on appeal.

In 2012, Gjeka went to trial over the Rundle St shooting but, on the second day of proceedings, prosecutors formally tendered no evidence and the matter was dismissed.

At the time, prosecutors told the court that both the alleged victim and a key witness in the trial had “voluntarily absented” themselves from proceedings. The Advertiser understands Gjeka’s original allegiance was to the notorious New Boys street gang, which was led by Vince Focarelli.

Sources claim the duo “had a falling out” around the time New Boys members patched over to the Commancheros in an aborted attempt to join that outlaw motorcycle gang.

Yesterday, Supt Taylor said SA Police were “made aware” of Gjeka’s escape “very early on”.

Dobson is described as having a fair complexion, medium build with blond hair.

Gjeka is of solid build, about 180cm tall, brown eyes, black hair and an olive complexion.

Anyone with relevant information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Fears escaped bikie is heading here