POLICE searched an Olinda house for a suspected armed offender after being called to a siege.
Olinda’s Sergeant Tony Haining said police were called shortly after 11pm on Sunday with an initial report a person was being held with another man in his 20s or 30s wielding a machete.
They called units from Belgrave before heading to the house in Range Road.
“When we arrived, someone came out of the house and said they didn’t know where the offender was,” Sgt Haining said.
“Five other people were in the house and had locked themselves in the back bedroom and didn’t know if the man was on the premises or in the house.”
Sgt Haining said the dog squad and police helicopter were also called to search the premises.
Police secured the house and grounds and the area, not knowing if the man was armed or not.
Although the initial report said the man was wielding a weapon, the house occupants couldn’t confirm if they had seen one.
Sgt Haining said police were treating the incident as a domestic issue as the offender was known to the occupants.
Police are still searching for the man, who will be charged on summons to appear before the Magistrates’ Court under the family violence legislation.
OLINDA police have nabbed five motorists for speeding along a notorious drag in the Dandenongs.
Sergeant Tony Haining said police were called shortly after 1am on Saturday to reports of drag racing along Ridge Road.
He said five motorists were caught driving in excess of the 60km speed zone with the highest recording reaching 87km.
Sgt Haining said Ridge Road, along with the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Road, was a popular spot for speedsters.
He said drivers were given penalty notices and one car was taken off the road for being unroadworthy.
Police violin case
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a young girl had her violin stolen from a train at Ferntree Gully station last month.
The 14-year-old from The Patch was on her way home when the $2500 instrument was stolen by two men and a woman.
Police are appealing for witnesses ahead of releasing CCTV footage of the theft.
Anyone who may have seen or heard anything should contact Belgrave police on 9754 6677.
EMERALD police have again warned motorists to lock their cars and remove valuables, following a spate of break-ins on the weekend.
Five cars were targeted near Oonah Street and Bilocla Avenue in Cockatoo shortly after midnight on Saturday.
