Darebin Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following the coordinated arrest of four men overnight who are alleged to have evaded police and stolen cars across several suburbs., Victoria Police say
The group first came to the attention of police when an allegedly stolen white Audi sedan, with two male occupants, was observed driving at excessive speed on the Calder Highway in Essendon North around 12.30am.
Police attempted to intercept the vehicle which sped off and a pursuit was initiated.
The Air Wing was called to assist and monitored the vehicle as it travelled through Darebin, Melbourne CBD, Dandenong and then back through the eastern suburbs to Preston.
The two men abandoned the Audi in Preston and were then picked up by a third man who was driving an allegedly stolen silver Mazda sedan.
This vehicle was also followed and monitored by the Air Wing and was observed travelling to Montrose, Dandenong, Melbourne CBD, Keilor and Brunswick.
This vehicle was abandoned in Brunswick and the three men were picked up by a fourth man driving an allegedly stolen blue Toyota Corolla sedan.
The Toyota was also monitored and followed by the Air Wing to Burgess St, Preston where around 3.50am all four men were seen abandoning the vehicle and running into an address in Miller Street.
All four men were successfully arrested, three are currently in custody assisting with enquiries and a fourth has been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Those arrested are:
• A 46-year-old Preston man (currently in hospital);
• A 20-year-old Preston man;
• A 23-year-old Thomastown man; and
• A 27-year-old Bundoora man.
All three vehicles have been recovered and are currently undergoing forensic examination.
There is nothing to indicate this incident is linked to the ramming of two police vehicles in Thornbury this morning.
Anyone who may have witnessed the vehicles involved or who has any information they believe may assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
