Petrol bomb launched at Vic police: court

Four people have been remanded in custody after a Molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown at police in Melbourne.

police station

A man is fronting court on drug trafficking charges after 20 people overdosed in Melbourne. (AAP) Source: AAP

It's lucky two police officers weren't set on fire when they were allegedly targeted in a petrol bomb attack, a Melbourne court has been told.

Four people fronted court on Saturday charged over the incident that triggered a high-speed pursuit in the city's southeast.

Cranbourne boilermaker John Vave, 29, was the only one who applied for bail.

He wasn't successful and was remanded in custody with three co-accused - Matthew Butler, 29, Angie Christdou, 26, and Kylie Blythman, 19, who all hid their faces in the dock to avoid being drawn by sketch artists.

Detective Senior Constable Matthew McCormack said the Friday morning incident began when police were doing a welfare check on an unconscious man in an allegedly stolen car in Cranbourne North.

A tow truck was called to remove the car and two police officers were helping the truck driver when a Molotov cocktail was allegedly hurled at them by Butler, wearing a bandana over his face and goggles.

The large bottle smashed at their feet and fuel sprayed all over them, Det Sen Con McCormack said.

"It is only good fortune the petrol, when thrown at police, was not ignited and potentially set the two members on fire," he told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

Butler allegedly fled and got in a nearby vehicle with the three co-accused.

The car reached speeds of 150km/h as police pursued the group to Hampton Park, with the chase ending when the alleged offenders' car hit a garden bed, Det Sen Con McCormack said.

Vave is accused of acting as a lookout for Butler during the alleged petrol bomb attack, while Christou allegedly drove the getaway car for awhile, swapping with Butler during the journey while the car sped along a busy road.

Vave told the court he was sorry for what happened, and he was glad the officers were safe.

"This is not who I am, your honour," he said.

"I'm a working man, I have kids. Overall, I'm a good person."

Magistrate Robert Kumar wasn't convinced he should grant Vave bail.

The group are due to front the Dandenong Magistrates' Court on November 28.

They face a series of charges, including attempted arson, assault police and reckless conduct endangering life.


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Source: AAP



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