Detectives from the Echo Taskforce are today releasing images as part of an appeal for public assistance following an incident where shots were fired at a vehicle outside a factory in Ardeer in February.
Shortly before 11pm on Thursday, 15 February, two male victims, aged 25 and 22, were outside a Reid Street premises where they had intended to work on a vehicle.
A short time later, a white hatchback and a white van entered the street.
The occupants of these two vehicles asked the two men what they were doing, before parking both their vehicles a short distance away.
Moments later, two further male victims, aged 23 and 22, drove into Reid Street, where they observed the male occupants of the white hatchback and white van exit their vehicles and walk towards them, with one of the males producing a handgun.
All four victims drove off in their vehicles, and a shot was fired in their direction.
They were pursued by the offenders for a short distance, before attending Keilor Downs police station to report the incident.
Just after midnight on Friday, 16 February, emergency services were called to reports of possible burglary in process at the Reid Street address.
It appeared men were loading pallets of cigarettes into a waiting truck.
Police believe those men were at least some of the same men involved in threatening the victims during the firearms incident.
With assistance from the Air Wing, two men were arrested just after 1am leaving the factory on foot.
A 23-year-old Hoppers Crossing man and a 43-year-old Tarneit man were both interviewed by police and released pending further enquiries.
Investigators are today releasing CCTV of the initial incident where the shot was fired and a digital composite image of a man police believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
He is perceived to be of Middle Eastern appearance, with a medium build, and a shaved head.
At this stage, police do not believe the parties involved were known to each other.
They are continuing to investigate the motivation for both incidents and if it has any connection to illicit tobacco.
Police are urging anyone who recognises the man or who has any knowledge of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers, which can be done anonymously.
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Mick Daly, Echo Taskforce:
“These are rare incidents but any indiscriminate use of a firearm in the presence of innocent civilians just going about their work is concerning. The danger it poses to the community is immense and we are lucky that nobody was seriously injured.
“We are very keen to speak to anyone with knowledge of this incident – particularly anyone who recognises the man in the digital composite image or the vehicles involved.
“We will continue to use all available methods at our disposal in an effort to reduce the impact illicit firearms have on the community, remove these weapons from the hands of criminals and place offenders before the courts.
“If there are people out there with information about the incident who are yet to come forward, I’d again appeal to those people to contact police and as always, this can be done anonymously.”
Anyone with any information or CCTV/dash cam footage of any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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