- Published:
- Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 1:38 pm
Melton Criminal Investigation Unit have charged a man following an alleged carjacking in Diggers Rest on 15 August.
It is alleged a 42-year-old man attempted to pull multiple vehicles over using a roadworks sign in the middle of the Calder Freeway just before 5am.
When a 2023 black Ford F150 utility slowed to offer him assistance, police will allege the Melton man grabbed the driver out of his vehicle and drove away.
The driver of the Ford, a 63-year-old Horsham man, was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The stolen vehicle was later located in Melton.
Police will further allege the 42-year-old was involved in prior incidents including:
- an aggravated burglary in Melton on 3 August
- an aggravated burglary in Harkness on 4 August
- an aggravated burglary in Melton on 4 August
- criminal damage in Kurunjang on 4 August
- a hit-run collision in Melton on 14 August
- a firearms incident in Diggers Rest on 14 August.
Today, detectives arrested the man at a Melton West address, and he has since been charged with over 50 offences, including:
- aggravated burglary
- aggravated carjacking
- prohibited person possess firearm
- aggravated assault
- burglary
- theft
- criminal damage
- driving offences.
He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
Katherine McLeod
Media Unit
151028
Updated