Police have arrested a wanted man following an extensive pursuit where several police vehicles were rammed, and a police officer was injured, in Trafalgar this morning.
Morwell Crime Investigation Unit detectives, investigating a series of recent incidents in the La Trobe area, had been actively searching for the wanted man who police believed was travelling in a stolen red Mitsubishi Outlander.
Whilst out searching, police received reports of a petrol drive-off in Tyers involving the stolen Mitsubishi about 8.20am.
Shortly later, police sighted the vehicle around Vincent Road, Morwell where two short pursuits were initiated but called-off due to the offenders dangerous driving and subsequent risk to the public.
Local officers formulated a plan involving uniform police, detectives, Airwing and the police dog squad as the vehicle was spotted by Baw Baw Highway Patrol officers travelling west at excessive speeds along the Princes Highway, Trafalgar.
Officers attempted to intercept the Mitsubishi as it continued at a fast rate of speed towards the south-eastern side of the Trafalgar township.
Officers deployed stop sticks on School Road before the Mitsubishi rammed a parked police vehicle and a collided into a police officer.
The male police officer sustained serious lower-body injuries and was transported to hospital.
Two further unmarked police vehicles were rammed by the Mitsubishi in School Road at the corner of Edward Street.
The Mitsubishi then crashed into a residential fence in Anzac Road and Church Street before the offender ran from the scene.
Officers chased the 34-year-old wanted man and arrested him in a nearby residential backyard.
No members from the community were injured during the pursuit and arrest.
The man was transported to hospital and is expected to be charged.
The search and subsequent arrest of the man relates to the investigation into a series of incidents in the La Trobe area between 28 and 30 December including:
An aggravated carjacking on Firmins Lane in Hazelwood South on 28 December about 11.10am.
A police vehicle ramming at a service station on Princes Highway in Traralgon East on 30 December about 4.15am.
A dumped stolen car and subsequent aggravated burglary in Castleknock Drive in Glengarry on 30 December about 5am, where the man is alleged to have used an axe to gain entry before stealing the victim's black Subaru Impreza.
The Subaru was dumped in the Moondara area before the man stole the Mitsubishi Outlander from a residence in Tanjil South.
