Police siege in Melbourne’s west ends

An armed man who allegedly fired at police before taking a resident and toddler hostage in their home has been arrested.

Police responded to a siege near Melton, and negotiated with an armed man at a property on Leon Drive in Weir Views. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

A man has been arrested after allegedly firing at police before entering a random home where a man and a toddler were inside in Melbourne’s west.

The incident unfolded in the suburb of Weir Views near Melton, 35km west of Melbourne about 3.40pm.

About three-and-a-half hours after the episode begun, a man in his 20s was arrested after negotiations with police.

The whole episode lasted nearly four hours. Picture: 7News

Victoria Police said the resident of the Leon Drive house and the toddler were released and were not physically harmed.

“Police continued to negotiate with the offender and the man and toddler were able to leave the address,” a police statement said.

The alleged gunman then fired at police again.

“Police returned fire and the police dog was deployed to assist with the arrest which took place just after 6pm,” the statement said.

“The man sustained a dog bite injury during the arrest and was conveyed to hospital under police guard for treatment.”

Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Images from a news helicopter show a man with no shirt on being detained at the scene by officers in camouflage fatigues, while paramedics check him out.

Earlier images showed a baby being handed to an armed officer metres outside the house in question.

There was a baby involved in the incident. Picture: 7News

The 26-year-old man who’s now in custody had allegedly stolen a car in a carjacking in Snake Gully near Bending earlier in the day before being seen in the Melton area about 3.40pm.

“The vehicle was monitored by Police Air Wing to Leon Drive when the man got out of the car and fired shots at police,” police allege.

“Police were not physically injured.”

He then allegedly entered the house in Leon Drive, at Weir Views, near Melton about 4p

Police rushed to the area about 4pm. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The police critical incident response team were at the scene. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Armed personnel were on a neighbouring roof. Picture: 7News

The area was swarming with police.

Images from the news helicopter show two armed personnel, wearing green fatigues, on a roof facing a neighbouring home.

The home they were focused on had a pink children’s bike leaning on the outside wall.

Police say no one was injured during the initial incident where the man allegedly fired at police. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The surrounding streets were locked down. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Nearby residents were told to stay indoors.

“Police are advising residents in the vicinity of Leon Drive to stay inside their homes until advised further,” a police spokesperson said.

Residents of the surrounding streets told NewsWire they received phone calls from police to stay inside their homes.

One nearby resident said police were “everywhere” in the surrounding streets, including armed officers.

Besides being told he could not leave his house, the resident said police had shared no information about what was happening.

Police have cordoned off the area and a crime scene has been established.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au