City’s wild side

MACHETES and firearms including an automatic hand gun are concerning police after their use in four incidents in four days in the Dandenong area.
Springvale police Senior Sergeant Bernie Kaminski said police would not tolerate any people armed with weapons.
“It’s very concerning for police. Weapons can not only cause injury to someone else, but could cause injury to the armed person,” he said.
“It is not acceptable for anyone to carry a weapon. Police will not tolerate it.”
His comments come after a series of incidents including kidnapping, armed robbery, false imprisonment and blackmail.
Last Sunday, police were called to a Keysborough hotel on the corner of Cheltenham and Corrigan roads after staff noticed a man with cuts to his arms had entered the premises.
Police said the man alleged he had been taken to the hotel at gunpoint. A search of a car revealed an automatic hand gun and a machete.
A Noble Park man, 46, a Cranbourne man, 25, a Cranbourne North man, 23, and Patterson Lakes man, 30, have been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, blackmail and firearm offences.
They will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10 May 2010.
On 13 February, a man used a large carving knife to rob a Springvale supermarket.
Police believe two men, disguised with stockings over their heads, walked into the supermarket at the corner of Princes Highway and Springvale Road about 8.15am.
They said one of the men approached a cashier at the service desk, armed with a large carving knife and demanded cigarettes and money while the other man held the doors open.
The men fled from the store and ran towards Garde Avenue.
Police are searching for the perpetrators.
One is described as 164cm tall with a solid build. He was wearing a dark beanie on his head, a glove on his right hand, dark pants and a dark top.
Police said a day earlier, a Noble Park man, 54, was arrested after he waved a firearm in the air during a dispute in French Street, Noble Park.
He then went into his house without causing any injury and surrendered himself to police when they arrived.
Police said they searched his house and found assorted ammunition and three firearms.
He is expected to be charged on summons.
On 11 February, at about 2.30am police said two men entered a motel on Princes Highway, one man threatened the motel manager and his wife with a handgun.
The men left with a wallet and two mobile phones.
Police are investigating.
Sen Sgt Kaminski said weapons not only included handguns and knifes, but could be items with a dual purpose such as baseball bats, screwdrivers, batons and machetes.
“People need to have a lawful excuse for carrying these items.”
Anyone with information about these incidents are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.