Police have charged a man following an incident that unfolded earlier this week at Emerald Lake.
Local law enforcement were first called to the area on Monday 9 March after reports of a collision involving an alleged offender, who was later taken into custody by police.
Social media noticeboards at the time claimed a man had been seen wielding a machete near the lake, driving on the wrong side of the road and crashing into a water tank near the Emerald Library before being arrested.
In a statement released following the incident, police confirmed a man was charged after he allegedly rammed a police vehicle in a carpark on Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Emerald on 9 March.
The 35-year-old Drouin man was charged with multiple offences including recklessly exposing an emergency services worker to risk by driving, assaulting an emergency worker and failing to stop on police directions.
He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court where he was remanded in custody and has since been bailed to appear on 23 March.
Emerald Village Association President Peter Maloney said he was disappointed no one reported the incident to police, especially as it happened on a public holiday when the lake area was busy with visitors.
He said police cannot intervene if incidents are not reported and urged locals to report any suspicious or dangerous behaviour in the future.
Anyone with information or involved in this incident is urged to contact Emerald Police Station on (03) 5954 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
