A 19-year-old man has been arrested following an alleged pursuit and armed robbery in the Bairnsdale area yesterday, Victoria Police say.
Police attempted to intercept an allegedly stolen Mitsubishi Triton ute travelling along Paynesville Road shortly before 4.30am on Wednesday (25 April).
The vehicle sped off and a pursuit was initiated, which was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
It’s believed the occupants of the same vehicle were allegedly involved in an armed robbery in East Bairnsdale later that day.
Two 18-year-old men, from Bairnsdale and Warragul, were walking along Lucknow Street, near the corner of Cameron Crescent, about 2.50pm when a car pulled up alongside them.
Two men got one, one of them allegedly armed with knuckledusters, and demanded the victims empty their pockets.
The thieves have stolen a number of personal items, before getting back in their car and fleeing.
The same vehicle was spotted by police outside a supermarket on Main Street in Bairnsdale about 11.10pm.
Police attempting to pull over the stolen vehicle, when the driver has reversed and allegedly rammed the police car before driving off.
No one was injured during the incidents.
The vehicle was then seen by patrolling police on the Princes Highway in Nicholson shortly before midnight.
A pursuit was initiated for a short time, before being terminated due to safety concerns.
East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested the Traralgon man this morning and located the stolen car this morning.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged them to contact Crime Stoppers.
