LANGWARRIN — A 24-year-old man remains in custody following a dramatic overnight police pursuit that ended in a crash, a foot chase, and the ramming of a police vehicle.
The incident began around 12.50am on Monday, when Highway Patrol officers spotted a grey Ford Focus travelling at high speed on the Monash Freeway in Glen Iris. Police activated lights and sirens in an attempt to intercept the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop and accelerated away.
The vehicle was next sighted more than an hour later, at approximately 2.45am, on Heath Mews in Langwarrin. As officers moved to intercept, the stolen Ford rammed a police vehicle and fled the scene again, continuing along North Road.
Police successfully deployed stop sticks at the intersection of North and Warrandyte roads, puncturing the vehicle’s tyres. Moments later, the car lost control and crashed into a roadside barrier near McClelland Drive.
The driver attempted to flee into nearby scrubland on foot but was quickly tracked and arrested by the Dog Squad.
The Ford Focus had been reported stolen in Langwarrin on 26 July.
The arrested man, from Langwarrin, is currently in police custody and is expected to be interviewed over multiple offences, including vehicle theft, evade police, and conduct endangering life.
Police investigations are ongoing.
