Robert Mantini, Luca Mantini and Shane Dalton: Three men committed to stand trial on charges relating to Adrian Romeo’s death

Three men charged following the alleged murder of a Melbourne tradie will face trial over his death. Adrian Romeo, 43, vanished on February 10 last year after telling family he was going to visit associates in Greenvale. Remains of the former concreter and security officer were located by police at a large Wildwood property in late 2024, with Victoria Police revealing on January 11 they’d been formally identified as the missing man. Robert Mantini, 60, Luca Mantini, 30, and Shane Dalton, 65, have been charged with offences relating to Mr Romeo’s alleged murder, with each pleading not guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning. Robert Mantini is accused of Mr Romeo’s murder, while his son and Mr Dalton are accused of attempting to assist him to avoid prosecution. Police allege Robert Mantini shot Mr Romeo while he was seated in a Greenvale home on February 10, before placing his body in the boot of a car. It’s alleged Luca Mantini assisted his father on the day Mr Romeo was killed, while Mr Dalton provided assistance between February 10 and July 25. Giving evidence, Detective Senior Constable Nicholas Wallace told the court it was his belief CCTV allegedly captured Robert Mantini wiping blood on the boot of a car while speaking to Mr Dalton. In the days after Mr Romeo’s alleged murder, Constable Wallace said it was alleged Robert Mantini attended the Wildwood farm eight times and was accompanied by Mr Dalton on three of four occasions. In July 2024, the officer said it was alleged intercepted phone calls and messages from Mr Dalton captured him attempting to obtain a car for Robert Mantini to flee. He told the court a number of these calls occurred the same day police executed a search warrant at Robert Mantini’s home. “It’s believed Mr Dalton is involved in sourcing a vehicle so Mr Mantini can go undetected,” he said. Lawyers acting for each of the three men told the court they would not be calling any evidence or making any submissions. The committal proceeding was previously due to conclude last month, however it was delayed after Mr Dalton suffered a serious medical episode while in custody. His lawyer, Geoffrey Steward, has flagged plans to seek bail at a later point. Magistrate Andrew Halse found there was “sufficient evidence” that could support a conviction, committing each of the accused men to stand trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court. They will next appear for a directions hearing on October 30.

Robert Mantini, ﻿Luca Mantini and Shane Dalton: Three men committed to stand trial on charges relating to Adrian Romeo’s death

Robert Mantini, Luca Mantini and Shane Dalton: Three men committed to stand trial on charges relating to Adrian Romeo’s death