A 32-year-old Caroline Springs man is one of two people arrested as part of an investigation into an altercation in Ravenhall earlier this month.
Police believe the July 7 incident on the Deer Park Bypass is part of an ongoing dispute between two men with organised crime links.
Police have been told the men were in two vehicles travelling inbound on the Western freeway when one of the vehicles allegedly forced the second off the road at high speed about 11am.
An physical altercation then occurred between the two men, in which the Caroline Springs man threatened the second man with a hammer, police said.
All parties then left the scene before police arrived.
The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing series of arson attacks across Melbourne which are believed to be linked to disputing organised crime syndicates.
The series of 12 incidents dating back to June 24 are being investigated by police.
It includes property and car fires in Fraser Rise, Caroline Springs, Maribyrnong, Fawkner, Greenvale, Oakleigh, Collingwood, Port Melbourne and Dandenong.
Police arrested the Caroline Springs man and a 31-year-old Balwyn North man on Wednesday, July 19.
VIPER Taskforce detective inspector Mick Daly said the altercation and the incident on the freeway leading up to it had the potential to put other road users at significant and completely unnecessary risk.
“We already know that these groups have very little concern for the safety of the broader community, as seen by the number of tit-for-tat arson incidents that have occurred as part of this dispute,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
