Homicide Squad detectives are today releasing CCTV and appealing for information following a number of incidents where shots were fired in Hampton Park in April.
In the first incident, a stolen black Audi Q7 SUV, a black Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback and a white Toyota Camry sedan are captured on CCTV driving at a fast rate of speed along the Parkway in Hampton Park at 9.21pm on Friday, 26 April.
The black Volkswagen drives onto the grassland, at which point the sound of two gunshots can be heard, before all three vehicles speed away from the area.
At 10.50pm, a stolen white Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is captured on CCTV chasing a stolen black Audi Q7 through Andrew Street, David Street and Jeffrey Street in Hampton Park.
As the vehicles travel at high speeds on Jeffrey Street, a person can be seen on CCTV leaning out of the passenger side window of the white Mitsubishi Outlander and firing a shot as it drives behind the black Audi Q7.
The sound of 14 gunshots can be heard.
At 11.36pm, the black Audi Q7 is driven into the driveway of a residential premises on Grammar Way in Hampton Park.
Two men, both wearing light coloured pants and hooded tops, exit the vehicle carrying jerry cans.
Both men empty the jerry cans onto the Audi, before setting it alight and fleeing the scene in a dark coloured sedan waiting nearby.
That vehicle has not yet been identified.
At 12.24am on Saturday, 27 April, 30-year-old Aaron Toth was fatally shot inside his vehicle parked outside a residential address on Bride Avenue, in Hampton Park.
Investigators have established he had travelled alone from Melbourne CBD and only arrived at the address a minute earlier.
He had no involvement in the earlier incidents in the Hampton Park area and his death is being treated as a case of mistaken identity.
CCTV has captured a stolen grey Ford Ranger utility turning left from Pound Road into Bride Avenue, before travelling south on Bride Avenue.
Occupants from the vehicle discharge shots into his vehicle as they drive past, fatally wounding Aaron.
A 21-year-old Cranbourne North man was charged with murder on Saturday, 29 June.
At 2.27am, the white Mitsubishi Outlander and the grey Ford Ranger utility drove in convoy to Sweeney Reserve, Berwick.
At 2:32 am, the grey Ford Ranger utility is set alight. At 2:34 am, the white Mitsubishi Outlander flees the scene.
Investigators are of the belief that all of these incidents are linked and that there are still people involved who have not yet been identified.
The only vehicle not yet recovered is the black Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback, the whereabouts of which are unknown.
Police are urging anyone with any knowledge of those involved or the whereabouts of the black Golf to come forward and speak to police or submit an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, Homicide Squad:
“A young man senselessly lost his life on this night. Aaron’s family faces a lifetime of grieving, and his unborn child will grow up never having met their father.
“The release of this CCTV follows an intensive investigation from the Homicide Squad and is testament to Victoria Police’s strong focus on holding those who commit acts of violence and who carry firearms to account.
“While we have charged one person, we know there are others out there who were involved. We are determined to hold everyone who played any part in this to account.
“If you have any knowledge of any of these events which unfolded in Hampton Park over the 26 and 27th of April or you recognise the black Golf, now is the time to do the right thing and speak to police. As always, it can be done anonymously.
“It’s critical that those who choose to engage in this kind of violent behaviour understand that they will be identified. Police will ensure that all necessary resources are utilised to identify those who are responsible and bring them to justice.”
