Man charged after siege in Melbourne’s far west

Police have charged a 26-year-old man with a string of crimes following a siege in Melbourne’s far west.

The man from Snake Valley near Ballarat in western Victoria will appear in court on Friday evening charged with a series of offenses relating to an incident two days ago.

Detectives allege the man stole a vehicle in Snake Valley on Wednesday and was later located in the suburb of Melton, more than an hour’s drive away.

Police monitored the vehicle as far as Leon Drive in Weir Views, where they allege the man got out of the car and shot at police.

Officers allege the man then entered a home where a man and a toddler he did not know were inside.

Police negotiated the release of the man and toddler.

It is alleged the man then shot at police again, but police returned fire and sent a dog to assist in the arrest.

The man was charged on Friday with more than twenty offences, including assault and firearms offenses against police.

The charges also include false imprisonment, dangerous driving, carjacking and making threats to kill.