Accused Melb carjackers to stand trial

Three men will stand trial over an alleged carjacking in which a Melbourne driver was threatened with sledgehammers and a baseball bat.

Aydin Hamit, 18, Ezzat El Abed, 19 and Mahmoud Taha, 20, were in a silver Mercedes they allegedly stole from an Epping driveway when they terrorised the Holden Commodore driver early on June 1, 2016.

Police allege Hamit and El Abed got out of the car armed with sledgehammers, while another accused, Michael Jeitany, 26, came out with a baseball bat.

The offenders then allegedly sped away in the newly stolen car and the Mercedes, driving erratically and through multiple red lights.

Hamit, who allegedly drove the Holden, hit a taxi along the way, causing it to spin 360 degrees, but failed to stop after the crash.

Police say he drove the wrong way down the Tullamarine Freeway for two minutes, dodging cars and trucks and sparking a police chase.

Taha, along with a minor, is also charged with carjacking a driver in Cremorne, who was threatened with a sledgehammer as he filled up with petrol.

Hamit, El Abed, and Taha are also charged with stealing another Mercedes from a Fawkner property and a series of burglaries targeting cigarette outlets.

They entered pleas of not guilty to multiple charges on Friday and were committed to stand trial, with a Melbourne County Court directions hearing set for February 10.