A man has been charged after he allegedly assaulted a camera operator in Melbourne's west.
The camera operator was reporting on an armed burglary on Fraser Street at Melton South on May 15 when he was allegedly assaulted, sustaining serious but non-life-threatening facial injuries.
His alleged attacker fled the scene, prompting police to urge the offender and another man to hand themselves in.
Police were on Wednesday called to a crash at Bentleigh East in Melbourne's southeast, where an allegedly stolen car collided with another vehicle on Bignell Road about 3.40pm.
Officers arrested a 26-year-old Melton man and charged him with assault and intentionally causing injury following the alleged attack on the camera operator.
Police also charged the man with possessing methamphetamine, illegally possessing prescription medication, possessing a prohibited weapon, stealing a vehicle, drug-driving, driving while disqualified and driving carelessly, among other charges.
The burglary the camera operator was reporting on allegedly involved four men who forced their way into the Melton South property about 4am on April 24.
The thieves, who were wearing balaclavas and masks, fired gunshots and made demands for a safe, drugs and cash.
When the three residents said there were no drugs or cash inside, they were assaulted.
The bandits subsequently found a safe and stole jewellery before taking a Volkswagen Polo and fleeing. The car was later found burnt out on the North Shore.
A 31-year-old man was treated for a significant knife wound to his face, while a 44-year-old woman and a 67-year-old woman had minor injuries.
The attack on the camera operator allegedly happened on a nature strip outside the Melton South home.
The 26-year-old Melton man was remanded in custody to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Thursday.
