Man charged with attempted murder after police 'standoff'
A man who held police at bay for two hours at a house in Melbourne's east on Wednesday morning has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary and assault-related offences.
The 33-year-old man allegedly armed himself with a knife and refused to leave the premises when police executed a search warrant at a property at Hayrick Lane, Mooroolbark.
Six others were also arrested at the house for various offences and were also interviewed by police.
"What transpired was a standoff situation within the address," Inspector Peter Wheeler, of the Yarra Ranges Police, told 7 News on Wednesday.
He described the situation as "tense" and "dangerous".
Police reportedly tried to negotiate with the man, but he was not willing to co-operate.
The man was in an open area of the house when police arrived, who managed to corner him by blocking nearby doors.
"Capsicum spray was deployed initially, but it had no effect," Insp Wheeler said.
The Critical Incident Response Team moved in and used a TASER to resolve the situation peacefully, and arrest the man, who was interviewed by police.
The man, of no fixed address, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary and assault-related offences.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this week.
A 39-year-old man, from Box Hill, was also charged with burglary, theft and breach of bail conditions, and was also remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this week.
A 29-year-old man, of no fixed address, was charged with fail to answer bail and was interviewed in relation to a number of unrelated outstanding warrants.
He was remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court.
A 29-year-old Mooroolbark man was charged with two counts of theft and has been bailed to appear at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 15 March next year.
A 28-year-old Kilsyth man was charged with obtain property by deception and deal proceeds of crime, and bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 7 February next year.
A 23-year-old Narre Warren man was charged and bailed, and a 35-year-old Collingwood man was released without charge.
No one was injured during the negotiations, a police spokesperson said.
