'I could have brought Mad Dog out'

Smoke can be seen billowing in Justin Ave, the scene of the Glenroy siege involving Antonio Loguancio. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Herald Sun

FUGITIVE rapist Antonio Logancio wanted to see the girlfriend he had bashed a week earlier as he held police at bay in a backyard bungalow.

But police – knowing Loguancio was armed with at least one firearm –  could not comply with the request.

Loguancio's assault of the girlfriend, with whom he lived in West Heidelberg, sparked the police search which ended in the stand-off in Justin Avenue, Glenroy.

A friend of Loguancio told the Herald Sun the fugitive had the girlfriend's mobile phone during the siege.

Victoria Police declined to comment on reports that friends of Loguancio told him not to surrender soon after it appeared he may have been ready to give up.

It has been reported they told him by one of several mobile telephones he was carrying that he would be shot if he emerged.

A policewoman guards the siege home in Justin Ave, Glenroy. Picture: Andrew Tauber

The Herald Sun has confirmed Loguancio told negotiators he feared he would be shot if he came outside.

Police had repeatedly assured him he was safe, both by phone and over a loud-hailer.

But the siege dragged on with Loguancio firing dozens of shots on Sunday afternoon in the period before the bungalow erupted in flames.

Earlier, a friend of Loguancio said he believed police should have handled the siege situation much better.

Mick Collett, a longtime mate, said his friend would have preferred to end the siege by taking his own life, rather than letting the police "take him in".

A neighbour who was made to stay in her property during the two-day seige speaks to the media this morning. Picture: Andrew Tauber

The siege ended after a volley of shots and billowing smoke marked the conclusion of Loguancio's eight days at large.

"The only thing I was very upset about, I wanted to go in. I wanted to talk to him. I know a hundred per cent I could have brought him out and they didn't listen to me," Mr Collett told 3AW.

"But I can understand their point too - he was armed and that's why they didn't let me in there."

The notorious rapist, holed up in a bungalow in a Glenroy backyard, kept surrounding armed police at bay for over 40 hours.

But about 2pm the siege escalated.

For sale: The siege home in Justin Ave, Glenroy is up for grabs. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Shots sounded out from the bungalow. Soon after, flames erupted and smoke billowed, as locals looked on.

Police and fire crews converged on the scene soon after. They discovered a body, believed to be that of the notorious rapist.

An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of Loguancio's death.

Forensic officers were examining the charred remains of the structure.

Loguancio had been on the run since February 23, when he bashed his partner at their West Heidelberg home.

Forensic officers begin to investigate the charred remains of the bungalow Antonio Loguancio spent his final hours. Picture: Jon Hargest

By Friday, he was hunkered down in the bungalow in Justin Ave.

In the hours before the gunshots rang out, police had tried to talk the fugitive into leaving the property, promising not to harm him.

"Come to the front door with nothing in your hands. Walk down the driveway and you will be met by police," a negotiator said through a loud hailer.

Deputy Commissioner Tim Cartwright said a coronial inquiry was under way. "Unfortunately we have now located the body of a man at the rear of the premise," he said.

"This is a tragedy. Our aim is to resolve with minimal injury and loss of life ... to protect the police members involved and the public."

Police have found a body in the bungalow involved in a siege in Melbourne today following a fire.

Mr Cartwright said the result was "not the outcome police had hoped for".

A local named "Darren" told 3AW this morning that the police sirens kept him and fellow residents awake all night.

"I think with the unfolding days ahead the impact it's had on them in their life, sleep-wise or any sort of trauma that may unfold we are yet to see I think," he said.

Sue Blake, who lives just three doors away, said she hadn't slept since the drama began on Friday night.

"I feel safe with the police around us but I feel scared." Locals were "normal everyday hardworking people".

A siege involving Antonio Loguancio has ended. Picture: Victoria Police

Loguancio's childhood friend Cindy Shaw said he was not as violent as he had been portrayed.

"He has always looked after me. I was like his little sister. He was always kind and we had a lot of fun. He could have his moments if he was stirred up, (but) he had a heart of gold. He looked after his family."

Police had called Loguancio a significant risk to the public.

The uncle of Loguancio's partner told Channel 9 the fugitive had beaten and tried to strangle her in last weekend's incident.

"How many chances do they get before they're put in jail?" he said.

The burnt bungalow where the body of Antonio Loguancio was believed to be found. Picture: Channel 10

- with Mark Buttler

The marathon standoff between a serial rapist and police in Melbourne's north has ended

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