Former Richmond hardman Jake King has been charged with making threats to kill over an alleged extortion attempt.
King and Hawthorn recruit Tyrone Vickery were arrested on Wednesday night over the alleged threats.
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Jake King charged with making threats to kill
Former Richmond hardman Jake King has been charged with making threats to kill over an alleged extortion attempt involving Tyrone Vickery.
It is understood Vickery allegedly used former teammate King to intervene in a business dispute.
Vickery believed a partner in his Hawthorn East Italian restaurant, Fat Monkey, stole more than $100,000.
It is understood police have been given audio recordings of King allegedly threatening the partner.
King, 33, has been charged with extortion 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 released on bail and is due to appear in court on November 15.
Vickery was released without charge.
![Former Richmond hardman Jake King.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170706123025im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/5/j/f/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gx5ceu.png/1499328734473.jpg)
The discovery that a six-figure sum was unaccounted for at the restaurant came after Vickery called in auditors last September.
Suppliers also claimed they had not been paid by Vickery's business.
![Tyrone Vickery on the field for Hawthorn.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170706123025im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/9/g/i/w/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gx5ceu.png/1499328734473.jpg)
The business partner, who has operated other Italian restaurants, denied he had stolen from Vickery.
Vickery, 27, told associates he raised his concerns with police, but when he was dissatisfied with the response, it is alleged he enlisted King, 33, to recover the funds.
![Vickery and Arina Rodionova in the restaurant last year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170706123025im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/8/b/l/6/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gx5ceu.png/1499328734473.jpg)
It is unclear whether Vickery actually reported his suspicions to police, as other sources claim he told them he feared the attention, given his profile, and the damage it could do to the business.
King's lawyer John Gdanski said his client would be "defending these allegations vigorously".
![Tyrone Vickery in the kitchen at his restaurant.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170706123025im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/5/f/e/l/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gx5ceu.png/1499328734473.jpg)
Police confirmed a 27-year-old from Wheelers Hill and a 33-year-old from Thornbury were arrested on Wednesday. Warrants were executed at both men's houses and at City of Ink, King's tattoo parlour in South Melbourne.
The tattoo parlour was previously owned by underworld figure Toby Mitchell. Ownership was transferred to King when Mitchell was sent to prison for drug possession.
The two were questioned by detectives from the Melbourne crime investigation unit.
Hawthorn said it knew Vickery was being questioned.
"Hawthorn Football Club is aware that Ty Vickery is assisting police in an investigation," a spokeswoman said. "As the matter is under investigation the club will not be making further comment at this time."
Vickery and King are believed to be former housemates from their time at Richmond.
Vickery is regularly spotted at his restaurant working as a waiter and in the kitchen.
His wife Arina Rodionova, the only Australian tennis player still in action at Wimbledon this week, last year told The Age the pair enjoyed being hands-on in the business.
Vickery has been much-maligned in his first season at Hawthorn, having found himself in and out of the side as coach Alastair Clarkson attempted to rebuild with several off-season recruits.
He has not played for the Hawks in more than a month, after being dropped following their loss to Port Adelaide in round 11.
Ty Vickery had been studying a law degree at Victoria University.
with Tom Cowie