Police move on the street with a police dog in Justin Avenue, Glenroy during the siege. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun
UPDATE: A TENSE standoff between police and Victoria's most wanted fugitive in Glenroy in Melbourne's north has entered its second day.
Serial rapist Antonio "Mad Dog" Loguancio, 40, has been holed up in a bungalow in Justin Ave, Glenroy, since 7pm last night.
It is understood police believe Loguancio is alone inside the property, however he has refused to co-operate with officer's requests to surrender and has warned police he is armed.
Police have now spent more than 10 hours in negotiations with Logauncio after tracking him to the suburban street yesterday afternoon.
Police at the scene in Glenroy where Antonio Loguancio is holed up inside a house. Picture: Ian Currie
"He's definitely alone in there as far as we're concerned," Supt O'Neill said.
"We know all of his friends and we've spoken to his associates and we're quite confident he is by himself."
Residents at the location of the siege in Justin Ave, Glenroy. Picture: Ian Currie
Supt O'Neill said armed officers had negotiated with Logauncio every half hour throughout the night.
"We've been speaking to him straight through. He's been good, but he's been tense at times and he's had a few mood swings," he said.
"But overall he's been co-operative."
Police have blocked off all streets surrounding Justin Ave and have set up its main blockade at the corner of Melbourne Ave.
It is understood Logauncio is located inside a property about 50m down from the intersection, which has been surrounded by armed Taskforce operators throughout the siege.
Just before 8am a fire truck was seen approaching the barricades.
Police at the scene in Glenroy where Antonio Loguancio is holed up inside a house. Picture: Ian Currie
Curious Glenroy residents have begun to emerge and cluster outside the perimeters enforced by police tape, with a number of local children - guarded by their parents - taking to the streets tucked in their pajamas to inspect the siege engulfing their community.
Supt O'Neill said there were scores of residents still within Justin Ave, with only a small number choosing to be escorted from the scene by officers last night.
"They're allowed to stay if they want to, but some of them have made the choice to go," he said.
Antonio Loguancio. Picture: Victoria Police
Police have stated they are in no rush to intervene with Logauncio and have openly expressed their tactic to sweat out the siege.
"Our intention is certainly not to present any alarm," he said.
"We've got no problem in speaking with him and waiting it out."
A resident at the location of the siege. Picture: Ian Currie
Frightened residents were ordered out of their Justin Ave homes and the street sealed off shortly after 7pm last night.
"I heard the police yelling for him to come out," neighbour Ahmed Ali said.
"I hopped under my bed because I thought I was going to get shot."
Police move on the street next to an armoured police vehicle in Justin Avenue, Glenroy. Picture: Hamish Blair
The tense stand-off followed a 48-hour hunt for Loguancio.
On Thursday, police appealed for help finding Loguancio after he allegedly assaulted his partner and breached a court-imposed supervision order.
The assault happened five days earlier but police defended the decision not to go public sooner.
Police have blocked Justin Ave in Glenroy. Picture: Ian Currie
They believed Loguancio could be caught because he was a "creature of habit".
A man at the scene who claimed to know Loguancio said he wouldn't give up without a fight.
"I'm staying here to see what happens," he said. "It won't be pretty.
Police order residents out of their homes in Justin Ave. Picture: Ian Currie
"He's not going back to jail, he told me that."
It is understood the man, who would not be named, had already been interviewed by police.
A friend said he hoped he could talk Loguancio out of doing something reckless.
Police move on the street next to an armoured police vehicle on Justin Avenue, Glenroy during the siege. Picture: Hamish Blair
Special Operations Group officers arrived at the house just after 7pm.
Residents said police used a megaphone to urge Loguancio to surrender.
A police source said officers were prepared to wait it out and were not going anywhere in a hurry.
It is understood police dogs had been posted at the back of the property to deter Loguancio from attempting to escape.
Speaking before the siege unfolded, Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana said there were concerns for Loguancio, his associates, police and for the public.
"We'd like to resolve this matter peacefully," Mr Fontana said.
He had been due to face magistrates this month on weapons and drugs charges and an allegation of assaulting police.
Warrants have been issued for his arrest for the alleged assault on his partner and a breach of an extended supervision order, which commenced after his parole period expired in March last year.
The weapons and drug charges were not enough to have him put back in jail for breaching the order.
- with Mark Buttler
