Ferntree Gully and Bonbeach men arrested after Boronia police stop car on Burwood Highway

When a car travelling down the wrong side of the Burwood Highway was pulled over, the driver had quite a story to tell. It ended with police charging two other men who faced court today. Find out what happened.

Martin Viliamu, 21, was released on bail less than a month before he was busted in an allegedly stolen car containing a loaded handgun. Picture: Facebook

Two men have faced court after a loaded handgun was allegedly found in a stolen car they were travelling in when pulled over by a police in Ferntree Gully.

Scott Maidment, 28, of Bonbeach, and Martin Viliamu, 21, of Ferntree Gully, were both refused bail at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court earlier today.

Acting Sergeant Dinah Tremain told the court police were tipped off about the suspicious duo after they pulled over a man driving on the wrong side of the road along Burwood Highway about 10pm last night.

The man told police Mr Viliamu and Mr Maidment approached him while he was washing his car at a nearby car wash and asked for the wheels to his car.

The man refused and quickly left the scene, driving on the wrong side of the road in his haste to get away, the court heard.

Police later intercepted the men nearby, allegedly finding the loaded handmade gun, a small quantity of ice and blue and red flashing lights in their car.

Checks also revealed the car was allegedly stolen, Acting-Sgt Tremain told the court.

Mr Viliamu’s lawyer told the court her client was bailed about a month ago.

But she told the court he was turning his life around and had gotten a job, and she asked the court to release him so he could continue to access treatment for his addiction to the drug ice.

Acting Sgt Tremain told the court police feared Viliamu would reoffend if bailed as he had done so in the past.

MORE:WHAT SHOPPING CENTRES USED TO BE LIKE

INSIDE VIGILANTES’ BIZARRE PAEDO EXTORTION ATTEMPT

TEEN’S VIOLENT RESPONSE TO NEIGHBOUR PARKED CAR DISPUTE

Magistrate Michael Wighton refused both men’s bail applications, with both men due back at court again later this month.

Mr Maidment faces charges of being a prohibited person possess firearm, theft of motor car, possess methylamphetamine, possess counterfeit money, handle stolen goods and possess prohibited weapon without an exemption.

Mr Viliamu was charged with commit indictable offence while on bail, theft of motor car and contravene conditions of bail.