In short:
Two separate early-morning police pursuits across Melbourne ended with multiple arrests after a stolen Mazda and a stolen Toyota Hilux were tracked across more than a dozen suburbs. Police say the Hilux even drove through the active scene of the first pursuit before being followed to Maidstone.
Police Arrest Several People After Two Pursuits
Police arrested several people following two separate extended follows across Melbourne in the early hours of 20 November, including one instance where a stolen Toyota Hilux coincidentally drove through the active scene of another investigation. The first incident began just before 12.30am when police spotted a silver Mazda 6 displaying stolen registration plates on Alma Road in St Kilda. The vehicle was followed through Albert Park and South Melbourne, where officers attempted to intercept it at Kings Way and Sturt Street.
The Mazda allegedly evaded police and continued to drive erratically through multiple suburbs, including Southbank, South Yarra, Prahran, St Kilda, Elwood, Elsternwick, Caulfield, Port Melbourne, Spotswood, Altona North, Laverton North, Sunshine, Braybrook and Footscray.
The vehicle was later found dumped on Geelong Road in West Footscray, where officers established a search of the area. A K9 unit located one occupant, a 23-year-old South Melbourne woman, hiding in bushes nearby. She was arrested and taken to hospital for observation and is expected to be interviewed.
While police were dealing with this incident on Geelong Road, a separate stolen Toyota Hilux—later confirmed to be involved in another investigation—was seen driving straight through the active crime scene before fleeing the area.
Around 1.35am, officers identified the same Toyota Hilux being driven erratically with stolen registration plates on James Street in Seddon. The vehicle was followed until it was dumped on Coleman Street in Maidstone, where a male and female occupant entered a nearby residence.
Police spoke with a 60-year-old resident inside the home, who allegedly refused to comply with instructions. He was tasered and arrested for resisting police before being taken to hospital for assessment.
The Toyota’s occupants, a 38-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both from Deer Park, were arrested without incident and are expected to be interviewed.
Both investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
