Police have charged three Mornington Peninsula residents following erratic driving and a truck fire in Melbourne’s east, an extended follow through Melbourne’s east and south-east this morning.
Officers spotted an allegedly stolen truck and a blue Holden Commodore driving erratically in Heathmont just after 2am.
Both vehicles are alleged to have sped off before the Air Wing located them on Eastlink near Burwood Highway in Rowville.
It is alleged the truck was set on fire underneath the Wellington Road overpass, before the offenders fled in the Commodore.
Police units on the ground and Air Wing overhead followed the car down to Dandenong, through Narre Warren, back to Springvale then towards Port Phillip Bay.
The Commodore headed to Port Melbourne, before turning back towards St Kilda and losing control on Beach Road near Dow Street.
A 30-year-old Dromana man and 33-year-old Tootgarook woman allegedly attempted to flee on foot but were arrested nearby.
The man was bitten by a police dog during the arrest and transported to hospital under police guard.
A second man, a 30-year-old from Rosebud, continued in the vehicle a short distance before coming to a stop and fleeing on foot onto the beach and in the water.
Officers from the Critical Incident Response Team and Dog Squad located and arrested the man.
The trio have each been charged with theft of motor vehicle and bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 5 May.
Detectives continue to investigate the matter.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
