PORT PHILLIP, VIC. — Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) detectives wrapped up a protracted investigation on Monday following the arrest of a man whom detectives had been seeking following a series of violent assaults and thefts across Port Phillip during July and August.
Some of the reported crimes being investigated include the theft of a Toyota CHR and theft from a motor vehicle in St Kilda West on July 11. In this alleged road rage incident, a machete was produced, and a person was threatened in Elwood involving the stolen Toyota CHR on August 11, among other alleged offences.
Investigators identified a suspect and got to work locating him.
Detectives, with the assistance of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and other specialised and local police, descended on Kirner Street, North Melbourne about 2.30pm on August 31, after receiving information their suspect was in the area.
Police located the stolen Toyota RAV 4 parked in Kirner Street, and soon after, the suspect returned to the stolen vehicle and, upon seeing police, he fled on foot.
Officers cordoned off the area and, with the assistance of CIRT, arrested the 33-year-old wanted man.
He was interviewed by detectives and charged with 16 offences, including reckless conduct endangering persons, unlawful assault, possessing a prohibited weapon (a machete), failing to have proper control of a vehicle, driving (in a) manner dangerous, failing to remain at the scene of a collision, three charges of motor vehicle theft, and committing offences whilst on bail, among other charges.
He was remanded in custody.
