By Ethan Benedicto
Following a string of incidents where shots were fired in Hampton Park earlier in April, Homicide Squad detectives have released CCTV footage and are appealing for further information.
One of the incidents involved the death of 30-year-old Aaron Toth, who was fatally shot inside his vehicle parked outside a residential address on Bride Avenue, Hampton Park at 12:24am on Saturday 27 April.
A 21-year-old Cranbourne North man was charged with murder on Saturday 29 June.
Investigators believe that Toth has no involvement with the previous incidents, and his death is being treated as a case of mistaken identity.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said “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,” he said.
The death follows the first incident on Friday 27 April, where a stolen black Audi Q7 SUV, a black Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback and a white Toyota Camry sedan were captured on CCTV driving at high speeds along the Parkway in Hampton Park around 9:21pm.
Soon after, the black Volkswagen drives onto the grassland, at which point the sound of two gunshots can be heard before all three vehicles sped away from the area.
At 10:50pm on the same night, a stolen white Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is captured on CCTV chasing a stolen black Audio Q7 through Andrew Street, David Street and Jeffrey Street in Hampton Park.
As these vehicles were travelling 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 drove behind the black Audi Q7.
“The release of this CCTV follows an intensive investigation from the Homicide Squad and is a testament to Victoria Police’s strong focus on holding those who commit acts of violence and who carry firearms to account,” Detective Inspector Thomas said.
Throughout the chase, the sound of 14 gunshots could be heard.
At 11:36pm, the black Audi Q7 was driven into the driveway of residential premises on Grammar Way in Hampton Park; two men, both wearing light-coloured pants and hooded tops exited the vehicle carrying jerry cans.
Both men then proceeded to empty the jerry cans onto the Audi, before setting it alight and fleeing the scene in a dark coloured sedan waiting nearby; the vehicle has not yet been identified.
In relation to Toth’s death, investigators have established that he had been travelling alone from Melbourne CBD and only arrived at the address a minute earlier.
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 vehicles discharged shots into Toth’s vehicle as they drove past, fatally wounding him.
“While we have charged one person, we know there are others out there who were involved, we are determined to hold everyone who played a part in this to account.
“If you have any knowledge of any of these events which unfolded in Hampton Park over the 26 and 27 of April, or you recognise the black Golf, now is the time to do the right thing and speak to police.” Detective Inspector Thomas said.
At 2:27am on 27 April, the white Mitsubishi Outlander and the grey Ford Ranger utility drove in convoy to Sweeney Reserve in Berwick, at 2:32am the Ranger was set alight, and at 2:34am the Outlander fled the scene.
Investigators believe that all of these incidents are linked and that there are still people 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.
“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,” Detective Inspector Thomas said.
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 at 1800 333 000, or an online submission at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
