Weir Views siege victim says he feels “lucky”, thanks police for saving toddler son

A man held hostage with his toddler during a dramatic two-hour Melboune siege choked back tears as he thanked police – and an elite dog – for saving their lives.

A man held hostage with his toddler during a dramatic two-hour siege choked back tears as he thanked police – and an elite dog – for saving their lives.

Ali and his young son were both sleeping when a man with a rifle stormed their Leon Drive home in Weir Views, near Melton, on Tuesday afternoon.

“It was horrible,” the father of five said.

“It’s unexplainable. If you’re not facing this sort of situation you won’t be able to understand. Imagine someone next to you with a gun.

“(Police) saved myself and my kid. I’m really glad the way they saved me. I’m lucky. Anything can happen, you know,” he said through tears.

A hero police dog helped bring the gunman down. Picture: Ian Currie

Ali’s comments came as new details emerged of the terrifying siege, including how the alleged offender was seen jumping on a trampoline with his weapon during the standoff, before he was taken down by the police dog.

A 26-year-old man was yesterday in the Royal Melbourne Hospital under police guard following the standoff.

He is accused of first committing an aggravated carjacking at Snake Valley, near Ballarat, about 2.30pm on Tuesday, leaving the 70-year-old ­female victim shaken.

A police chopper tracked the white Mitsubishi SUV east towards Melton where the offender allegedly attempted a second carjacking at Weir Views.

It is understood police used road spikes on Gillespie Dr to stop the alleged offender’s ­escape.

After ditching the car, the man allegedly firing a shot at elite Special Operations Group members before storming the Leon Drive property and holding Ali and his little boy hostage.

Weir Views residents were told to stay indoors and away from windows while SOG members attempted to negotiate with the man.

The baby is rushed to safety. Picture: 7 News

Police would not say if he made any demands during the siege, but he fired one shot inside the home.

SOG officers were allegedly shot at as they stormed the home with dogs. They returned fire but missed, and their dog bit the alleged ­offender.

Jess Quinn, 32, who was at home with her two kids just two doors down, hailed the police dog as a “hero”.

“What a good puppy,” she said.

Police apprehend a man from the home in Wier Views after their dog was deployed and bit him. Picture: Seven News

Ms Quinn described the moment police swarmed the street, just after 4pm on Tuesday.

“I came out, and (police) shooed me back inside, and then guns drawn, took off next door,” she said.

“I heard them come over the fence so I’ve run to the back door and that’s when I heard the first gunshot.

“I could hear them yell ‘Get on the ground!’”

Amanda McGregor, who lives next door to the house where the siege took place, said she was out picking up her child from daycare when the chaos unfolded.

“I think they have jumped my fence to get to next door, my neighbour also said she saw a lot of commotion at the front of the property at first,” she said.

Another neighbour said: “A man armed with a rifle jumped into our backyard, we called the police.”

Yet another Weir Views resident said police had “smashed open” their side gate and stormed the backyard as they remained locked inside, “worried and scared”.

The offender is now expected to face multiple charges, including for alleged carjacking, driving and firearms offences.

Police at the two-hour siege on Tuesday. Picture: 7News

A hero police dog helped bring the gunman down. Picture: Supplied

The car allegedly stolen by the 26-year-old man.