A 23-year-old Werribee South man has appeared in court following a Wyndham crime spree and two shootings within 24 hours.
Police allege the man fired at a car in Manor Lakes on Wednesday and at police in Hoppers Crossing on Thursday.
Ashley James Rei-Paku appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday on 21 charges, including shooting at police, assaulting an emergency worker and attacking another person with an axe.
He was also charged with stealing a Nissan Navara, which police tried to intercept on Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing, before a shot was allegedly fired at officers.
SEE VIDEO: SHOOTING SUSPECTS ARRESTED
The bullet hit the police car door but nobody was hurt.
A lawyer for Rei-Paku told the court her client sustained broken ribs, a broken arm and cuts to his head after he and two women were arrested at the Pacific Werribee carpark, close to the scene of the shooting.
She said Rei-Paku was affected by ice when he was arrested.
An 18-year-old woman was charged with theft of, and theft from, a motor car and criminal damage by fire.
A 21-year-old woman was released without charge.
The Manor Lakes incident happened about 4.10pm on Wednesday when a male driver stopped to help the woman driver of a stationary red Mazda causing an obstruction on Eureka Drive.
He saw three men running towards his vehicle, so he drove off down Minindee Road, the court heard.
At least one shot was fired at his car.
Following the Pacific Werribee arrests, police found stolen vehicles, trailers and other property, including ammunition, at an address in Masthead Way, Werribee South.
The Nissan Navara used in the attack on the police van was found burnt out in a nearby paddock.
Another search warrant was executed at Eureka Drive, Manor Lakes, where further stolen property was recovered.
Police also:
• Arrested and charged a 22-year-old man with theft of, and theft from, a motor car as well as other theft and assault-related matters.
• Arrested and charged a 28-year-old man with theft of a motor vehicle.
• Arrested a 24-year-old man on outstanding warrants.
• Arrested a 40-year-old woman who was later released without charge.
The investigation continues.
– with The Age
