A Cranbourne man was one of three individuals arrested by Gang Crime Squad detectives following a dangerous car pursuit in Moonee Ponds in December.
With the assistance of the Special Operations Group and VIPER Taskforce, warrants were executed at addresses in Carlton, Port Melbourne, Yarraville, Cranbourne and Deer Park in January.
A 34-year-old Port Melbourne man was arrested in Geelong at approximately 11am on Thursday 5 January with the assistance of the Special Operations Group.
He was charged with a range of firearm offences including prohibited person possess firearm, conduct endanger life, theft of motor vehicle and commit indictable offence whilst on bail. He faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in January.
A 24-year-old from Deer Park was arrested with the assistance of the Special Operations Group and was set to be interviewed by police.
The activity follows an incident shortly after 7.20am on Saturday 24 December, when a silver Volkswagen Passat was being pursued by a stolen white Toyota RAV4 through the Moonee Ponds, Essendon and Coburg areas and witnesses reported hearing gun shots.
The Volkswagen, pursued by the Toyota, is captured on dashcam footage running a red light at the intersection of Buckley Street and Pascoe Vale Road in Essendon, veering onto the wrong side of the road, police said.
It appears an occupant of the Toyota fired several shots in the direction of the Volkswagen, which was later located on 31 December with a shattered rear windscreen which police believe was gunshot damage.
Just before 7.30am, the stolen Toyota was travelling at high speed on the incorrect side of Bell Street in Coburg and disobeyed a red traffic signal, crashing head on into another motorist and ricocheting into several other vehicles.
Four men fled from the scene, running south on Bruce Street in Pascoe Vale.
A 23-year-old Cranbourne man was located alone a short time later and was arrested and charged with theft of motor vehicle and possess ammunition.
A man from one of the vehicles struck was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
Echo Taskforce detective acting inspector Ash Ryan appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
This includes a man with two small dogs who was standing at the traffic lights at the intersection of Buckley Street and Pascoe Vale Road in Essendon when it is believed the shots were fired.
“These are rare incidents but any indiscriminate use of a firearm and dangerous driving in the presence of innocent civilians going about their morning is concerning,” detective acting inspector Ryan said.
“We believe this was a targeted attack, but the danger it poses to the community is immense and we are lucky that other people were not seriously injured.
“We will continue to use all available methods at our disposal in an effort to reduce the impact illicit firearms have on the community, remove these weapons from the hands of criminals and place offenders before the courts.”
The white Toyota RAV4 was stolen from Thornbury between 19 and 20 November, 2022. If anyone has any information on this vehicle being used in other criminal offending, please speak to police.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information on the men involved is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
