Vic man fronts court over alleged siege

A man who kept police at bay for five hours during an alleged siege at a Melbourne home has been remanded to face court later this month.

The Thomastown man, 26, has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm, other firearms and bail-related offences following Friday afternoon's stand-off on Wedge St in Epping.

Officers first spoke to the man as he exited the home, but he rushed back inside, police allege.

Six people, a 23-year-old woman and five children, willingly stayed inside the home with the man during the alleged siege.

Inspector Peter Tatter-Rendelmann told reporters on Friday the stand-off was the culmination of an investigation into a series of theft and firearms offences.

"He was called to come out of the premises, at which time he came out in possession of what we believe was a small firearm," he said.

Insp Tatter-Rendelmann said the woman and five children - between toddler age and 16 - were known to the offender.

They eventually peacefully left the house "in three lots" and the man was arrested just before 7pm.

He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Saturday and has been remanded to appear on June 29.