Man arrested after shots fired at police during siege in Melbourne’s west
By Alex Crowe
A siege at a suburban home has ended after armed police arrested a man who allegedly shot at officers in Melbourne’s outer west, before barricading himself in a stranger’s house with a man and a toddler.
Images from the scene in Weir Views, south of Melton, show police surrounding a house on Leon Drive on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said a vehicle, believed to have been stolen in a carjacking in Snake Gully earlier on Tuesday, was observed around the Melton area about 3.40pm. The vehicle was followed by Police Air Wing to Leon Drive, where the man got out of the car and fired shots at police.
The armed male then entered a house on Leon Drive where two occupants, a man and a toddler, were inside at the time.
Police said officers continued to negotiate with the offender, and the man and toddler were able to leave the house. Images from the scene show police carrying a small child.
Police said the man fired at officers once again, prompting them to return fire. Officers entered the property with a police dog to make the arrest, which took place just after 6pm, and resulted in the man being bitten, police said.
Images show a handcuffed man being treated by paramedics in a driveway before he was taken to hospital under police guard for treatment.
Residents were permitted to return to surrounding homes shortly after 7pm. The street had been blocked during the stand-off.
Venas Saidi, who lives nearby with his parents, said he was coming home from work when the drama unfolded.
He said he was prevented from entering the area for several hours.
Venas Saidi, who lives near Leon Drive in Weir Views, couldn’t get back home due to the stand-off.Credit: Alex Crowe
“Obviously, you’ll be a bit scared,” he told The Age at the scene. “It’s not something that normally happens here.”
During the siege, armed officers from Victoria Police’s special operations group and a black BearCat armoured vehicle surrounded the home, and armed officers were seen stationed on the roof of a nearby house.
A crime scene has been established as investigations continue. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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