Man charged after allegedly smashing Uber vehicle with hammer

A man has been charged after he allegedly smashed the windows of an Uber vehicle with a hammer in Melbourne's east this morning.

Police say the man was picked up in Carlton for an expected trip to Surrey Hills before a dispute over payment occurred in Blackburn just after 7.30am.

As the car pulled into Lalwa Street, police allege the passenger started to damage the rideshare car with a hammer.

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The driver, who was not injured during the incident, told police he stopped at a hardware store during trip so the passenger could make a purchase.

One witness said the vehicle was completely destroyed.

"It was all smashed up down the side mirror and the back windscreen has a big hole in it," he said.

A 42-year-old man was arrested at a shopping centre on Canterbury Road, Forest Hill at 1.30pm today.

The man was charged with criminal damage, theft and driving offences and will face court in October.