Two alleged car thieves were among five people arrested during an overnight operation across Melbourne's east last weekend.
A Dog Squad unit - which was out patrolling as part of Operation Advance - first spotted the allegedly stolen Toyota Hilux on Ferntree Gully Road in Glen Waverley about 9pm last Friday.
The Air Wing began following from above and observed the vehicle pull into a carpark at Mount Waverley railway station.
Officers on the ground moved in to deploy stop sticks, puncturing all four tyres as the vehicle exited the carpark, but the driver continued on at a slow rate of speed.
The car eventually came to a stop on Doncaster Road and two occupants allegedly fled on foot into a nearby carpark and laneway.
The pair - both aged 36 from Cranbourne - jumped over a fence to get away but were located by police moments later and arrested without incident.
The alleged driver was charged with theft of motor vehicle, theft from car, going equipped to steal, possessing methylamphetamine and other traffic-related offences. He was remanded to appear before Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 4 March.
His passenger was charged with theft of motor vehicle, theft from car, handling stolen goods and possessing methylamphetamine and bailed to appear at court at a later date.
Police will allege the vehicle was stolen from Narre Warren railway station earlier that day.
Three further people were arrested during the overnight blitz, including a female driver who allegedly had no plates affixed to her vehicle and failed to stop for police.
She subsequently ran off from the vehicle in Mount Waverley and was arrested shortly after.
Another driver, who was allegedly speeding on the Monash Freeway, failed to stop for police but was tracked by the Air Wing to an address in Glen Waverley and arrested.
Police also:
- Recovered two stolen vehicles and four sets of stolen plates
- Issued 12 infringement notices for traffic offences
- Checked more than 760 vehicles
Operation Advance ran on 27 and 28 February and will continue across the Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse and Boroondara areas.
It sees local police team up with specialist units to target home break-ins, car thefts and dangerous driving.
Anyone with information about offending in the area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
