A father who was held hostage with his toddler son in Melbourne’s west yesterday has broken down in tears while thanking police for saving their lives.
Ali and his one-year-old son were held captive in their Weir Views home, near Melton, when a stranger armed with a high-powered rifle entered the home after allegedly firing shots at police on the street.
The 26-year-old suspect had allegedly stolen a car from a 70-year-old woman in Snake Valley, near Ballarat, yesterday before driving to the Melton area around 2.30pm, according to police.
READ MORE: Cop’s trial continues after jury watches Tasering of 95-year-old
The car was tracked by the Police Air Wing to another address in the suburb, where the man allegedly attempted a second carjacking.
Superintendent Michael Cruse said the man was unsuccessful and was tracked to Leon Drive, Weir Views, where he allegedly fired shots at police.
He entered a random house on the street, where Ali and his toddler were inside.
The father-of-five told 9News he was napping when he woke to find the suspect had barricaded himself inside his daughter’s bedroom.
“My wife went to pick up my kids from the school and I was sleeping with my youngest son,” Ali said.
“One of my daughters’ bedrooms was locked and I tried to open [it]… I heard a noise that someone was inside and saying ‘I have a gun and I will kill you if you come inside’.”
After hours of negotiating, he and his toddler were freed through a smashed window in the front of house and were carried to safety by police.
They weren’t physically injured.
“I’m lucky … he could shoot my son, can shoot me… Thank god we are safe and police definitely did a good job.”
READ MORE: Bali flight cancellations continue today as volcano spews ash
Superintendent Cruse said police were quick to to lock down the area and call the special operations group and critical incident response.
There are reports the man was seen jumping on the trampoline before entering the home.
“He was behaving erratically in the backyard of the premises,” Cruse said.
Aerial vision caught the moment the pair rushed from the home and into a police officer’s arms.
The man fired at police once again before officers returned fire. The police dog was also deployed to assist in the arrest.
“We will allege that a further shot was fired inside the house. At that point, a tactical entry of the house has taken place,” Cruse said.
“We allege a further shot was fired towards the police team. They were able to deploy a police dog.”
The man suffered a dog bite injury during the arrest and was taken to hospital under police guard, where he remains.
READ MORE: Cop’s trial continues after jury watches Tasering of 95-year-old
Neighbours, who were directed by police to stay inside their homes throughout the two-and-a-half-hour siege, told 9News they heard loud booms and screaming during the afternoon.
“When they raided the house it was just chaotic,” a resident said.
“You heard the glass smashing, canines barking, people yelling obviously then we heard this blast and more glass smashing.
“Ali’s son was just screaming, it was horrific. As a mother it was horrific to hear.”
Cruse thanked the bravery of all the police involved, admitting it could have been a lot worse.
“I’m extremely proud of the police that were present yesterday,” he said.
“They did a fantastic job and they showed bravery and courage in the execution of their duties, they should be applauded.”
Cruse said the man was armed with a high-profile rifle and did not have a firearms licence.
He said the 26-year-old man from Snake Valley is expected to be released from hospital today, where he will be interviewed by police and most likely charged.
