Gang Crime Squad detectives have charged a fourth man and are today releasing CCTV and appealing for witnesses to a car crash following a pursuit in Moonee Ponds last month.
With the assistance of the Echo Taskforce and Maribyrnong Criminal Investigation Unit, a 32-year-old Cranbourne was arrested in Maribyrnong just after 12.30pm yesterday afternoon.
He was charged with a range of firearm offences including use firearm reckless to any person, use firearm in manner dangerous, reckless conduct endanger life, prohibited person use firearm and contravene bail condition.
He has been remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 April.
Three men, a 34-year-old from Port Melbourne, a 24-year-old from Deer Park and a 23-year-old from Cranbourne have previously been arrested and charged in relation to the incident.
Yesterday’s 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.
It appears an occupant of the Toyota fires several shots in the direction of the Volkswagen, which is later located on 31 December with a shattered rear windscreen which police believe is gunshot damage.
Just before 7.30am, the stolen Toyota is travelling at high speed on the incorrect side of Bell Street in Coburg and disobeys a red traffic signal, crashing head on into another motorist and ricocheting into several other vehicles.
Detectives are today releasing CCTV footage of that crash and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or the car travelling along Bell Street.
Four men fled from the scene, running south on Bruce Street in Pascoe Vale.
A man from one of the vehicles struck was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
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 www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
