Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad have today charged two men after a man was shot in a burglary gone wrong in Ardeer late last year.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, the Illicit Firearms Squad and Westgate Divisional Response Unit, four warrants were executed this morning at residential addresses in Hoppers Crossing, Maidstone, Sunshine West and Melton South.
A 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was charged with 23 offences, including:
• aggravated burglary - firearm
• aggravated burglary - offensive weapon
• theft
• possess cannabis
• two counts of commit indictable offence whilst on bail
• intentionally cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence
• recklessly cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence
• intentionally cause serious injury
• recklessly cause serious injury
• prohibited person possess a firearm
• prohibited person use a firearm
• use firearm in a dangerous manner
• carry/use loaded firearm in town or populous place
• bail - contravene certain conduct conditions
• dispose of general category handgun except to licensed firearms dealer
• possess/carry/use unregistered general category handgun
• prohibited person possess a firearm
• possess ammunition without a licence
• dispose of general category handgun except to licensed firearms dealer
• possess/carry/use unregistered general category handgun
• prohibited person possess a firearm, and
• possess ammunition without a licence.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 4 August.
A 19-year-old Maidstone man was charged with:
• dispose of general category handgun except to licensed firearms dealer
• possess/carry/use unregistered general category handgun
• possess ammunition without a licence, possess firearm with no serial number
• two counts of commit indictable offence whilst on bail
• dispose of general category handgun except to licensed firearms dealer
• possess/carry/use unregistered general category handgun
• possess firearm with no serial number, and
• possess ammunition without a licence.
He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Two other men, a 28-year-old from Melton South and a 25-year-old from Sunshine West, were interviewed by police and released without charge.
The charges follow an incident about 1.30am on Tuesday, 25 October last year.
Investigators believe a group of men had been attempting to access a property on Maxweld Street when a 59-year-old Ardeer man confronted the offenders, and two shots were fired towards him, one of which struck the victim in the face.
The first shot impacted the side of his face, causing damage to his eye. The second did not strike the victim.
He was conveyed to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
