What triggered the dapper cigar-smoking alleged gunman’s GTA-style rampage that stunned Australia – as bizarre new details emerge about what happened just three days earlier
The man accused of going on a carjacking rampage in Melbourne during peak hour ran out of fuel moments earlier sparking an altercation with a petrol station attendant, a court heard.
Simon Michael Davies, 48, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday evening via videolink, where it was revealed that just three days ago he also allegedly threatened to ‘kill’ hospital security staff.
Davies’ made headlines across the country on Tuesday when footage appeared of him allegedly brandishing a gun and carjacking a motorist in Hoppers Crossing, in Melbourne’s west.
The court heard he sustained a fractured eye socket, ribs and a broken arm when Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group was forced to apprehend him inside a city hotel as terrified witnesses fled. He remains in the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
It can now be revealed Davies had been bailed just three days earlier amid allegations he threatened to kill a security guard at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
In opposing bail, Detective Acting Sergeant Jeremy Hart told the court Davies had attended the hospital complaining that his skin felt as if it was burning inside.
‘He expressed racist and aggressive sentiments toward staff, stating he disliked non-Australians. Security removed him, and he smashed a wine bottle, pointing it at a security staff member, threatening, ”You see this bottle, I will kill you with this”,’ he told the court.
Simon Michael Davies, 48, appeared in court from a hospital bed
Police claimed he later carjacked a motorist in nearby Laverton before he was captured and promptly bailed back onto the streets.
On Tuesday, police alleged Davies attacked a service station attendant with a jerry can after the car his estranged wife was driving and he was a passenger in ran out of fuel.
‘The accused picked up a 10-litre fuel can and asked the attendant to fill it. When told to do it himself, he hit the attendant in the chest with the can, causing pain, and attempted a second strike, which was blocked,’ Sergeant Hart said.
‘He left, attempted to fill the can, and tried to re-enter the locked store, displaying a small black firearm.’
The gun, later found to be an imitation, was then allegedly used by Davies to car jack a motorist outside the station on Tarneit Road as parents were taking their kids to school.
The owner of the first car he attempted to steal thwarted Davies by removing the keys, but a second driver, who captured her ordeal on phone camera, was not as fortunate.
Boxed in, the court heard Davies turned his attention to the driver’s Mitsubishi ASX, yelling about ‘buying her a Lamborghini’ while waving the firearm.
In North Melbourne, police claim Davies again produced the imitation gun to steal a 2015 Hyundai Accent.
That car was dropped off on Lonsdale Street in the CBD where Davies allegedly told passersby to return the keys to its owner.
Dramatic footage emerged of Davies during his alleged carjacking spree on Tuesday
Davies apologised to the magistrate for his behaviour
He remains in hospital after suffering injuries during his arrest
Fleeing on foot, Davies made his way into the Lansmore Hotel on Punch Lane where he again allegedly threatened staff with the fake gun.
It was there the SOG converged, claiming Davies pointed the gun at them as they attempted to take him down.
Davies faces multiple charges of carjacking and attempted carjacking and a charge of reckless conduct endangering life linked to his alleged erratic driving while behind the wheel of the stolen cars.
In arguing for bail, Davies lawyer Felix Best claimed his client suffered from schizophrenia and was bipolar, but had been off his medications for years.
He claimed Davies would be vulnerable in jail due to those conditions and asked he be bailed as an involuntary mental health patient to the hospital.
That idea was opposed by the police prosecutor, who said no bail conditions could limit the risk Davies posed to the public.
Davies, who appeared battered and bruised, pleaded with Magistrate Donna Bakos for mercy.
‘Sorry, sorry, your honour, I’m a very kind and compassionate, religious man,’ he said.
‘I have had a hard upbringing, which you’ll find out about.’
CCTV captured Davies casually walking down a CBD street carrying a firearm while smoking a cigarette
Davies allegedly targeted a second motorist while stopped at the lights in Tarneit
Ms Bakos reserved her decision, telling the court she may announce it later on Wednesday evening or Thursday.
The revelations saw Davies break down into uncontrollable tears as the court was adjourned.
Footage obtained by Wyndham TV emerged on Tuesday of the alleged carjacking outside the BP service station in Tarneit.
‘Get out now, go, go!’ Davies screamed at a terrified male driver, who fled across the road.
Davies spent a few moments looking inside the car before targeting a second motorist, telling him to ‘get out’ and that ‘I’ll buy you a new car’.
He was heard calling out an odd five-word phrase before driving off: ‘I love you and God bless.’
A police helicopter hovered above the CBD as specialist police moved on Davies, who was spotted walking casually down a laneway smoking a cigarette with a firearm in his other hand.
Heavily armed officers in camouflage gear were seen making their way down a side street before confronting him just off Bourke Street – one of the Melbourne’s busiest thoroughfares.
Heavily armed police moved into arrest Davies in the Melbourne CBD shortly before 9am on Tuesday
Davies (pictured) was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following his arrest in which he allegedly pointed an imitation gun at officers
Pictures showed the suspect covered in blood lying on a stretcher before he was led away in handcuffs to a nearby ambulance.
The latest incident comes just days after terrified lunchtime shoppers in Bourke Street were forced to run for their lives after an allegedly stolen SUV struck a pedestrian while being chased by police.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan has since assured that ‘the CBD of Melbourne is safe’.
‘The Victorian community has that protection from Victoria Police,’ she told reporters on Tuesday.
‘As we saw this morning, Victoria Police moved swiftly, dealt with this situation quickly.’
Asked whether she understood why some Victorians didn’t feel safe in the CBD, Premier Allan said: ‘I can understand for those in the area this morning, it would have been a concern.’
‘I do understand that when incidents do occur, it would be incredibly distressing to either witness to those sort of instances or indeed … if that happened to you more directly.’
