Murtada “Monty” Alessawi facing blackmail charges

A teen given the chance to remain in the community after allegedly firing an assault rifle into a Pascoe Vale home is now in custody

A teen freed on bail after allegedly firing an SKS assault rifle into a suburban home in a tit-for-tat gang war is in custody.

Murtada “Monty” Alessawi, 18, was due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday over allegations he blasted more than 20 rounds from a semiautomatic rifle into a Heather St home in Pascoe Vale on June 14.

His co-accused Jaidyn Snowball and Hady Al Harbiah both appeared via video link at 10am.

But the court heard that Mr Alessawi was not able to appear as he had been arrested earlier that morning for other alleged offending.

Armed crime squad detectives swooped on him during a search warrant on a Mickleham home.

Murtada Alessawi has been charged with extortion and blackmail. Picture: Supplied,

Hours later, Mr Alessawi beamed into the court via video link from Melbourne West police station, where he had spent the day being questioned.

Wearing blue shorts, a grey hoodie and no shoes, Mr Alessawi sat arms crossed throughout the brief hearing, only speaking to confirm he could see and hear the court.

He is charged with blackmail, extortion, attempting to pervert the course of justice and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

In June, the Herald Sun exclusively revealed the shoot-out allegations against Mr Alessawi when he was granted bail in court.

Police have alleged that was part of a wave of nine separate shooting incidents exchanged by two groups of warring young men.

Detectives also charged him with smashing his way into the Narre Warren home of a lawyer while waving a handgun on May 13.

Investigators will allege that, since then, Mr Alessawi threatened an 18-year-old, demanding money, vehicles and other items.

The 18-year-old was alleged to have been asked to nominate himself as the driver of a vehicle which evaded police last month at Lalor.

In July, police had asked the court to lock up Mr Alessawi for alleged bail breaches, but he was given another chance to remain in the community.

Among the breaches alleged was that he had failed to stay at his family’s Epping home, moving out after it was peppered with gunfire on June 29.

Police claimed he had been staying in hotels and with friends, breaching a stipulation he be under his father’s supervision.

Mr Alessawi’s failure to attend work at a family friend’s business was put down to his not wanting to follow a routine which “might compromise his safety.”

Following his arrest on Tuesday, detective acting Sen-Sgt Adam Pengelly of the armed crime squad said police would not stand for those threatening or endangering the community.

“We will do everything we can to ensure those who purposely intimidate members of the public and interfere with police investigations are held to account,” Sen-Sgt Pengelly said.

“Victoria Police has absolutely zero tolerance for anyone who believes they can operate above the law. We will leave no stone unturned when it comes targeting these offenders.”

In his latest court appearance, Mr Alessawi did not try to apply for bail again.

The case involving the fresh blackmail charges was adjourned to January 10.

But he will return to court, alongside Mr Snowball and Mr Al Harbiah, over the firearms incidents later this year.