Police have arrested a man after a stolen white Toyota Landcruiser drove through a shopping centre in Preston to avoid police yesterday.
Officers were alerted to an allegedly stolen vehicle by shopping centre security at the Murray Road shopping centre about 4.02pm on Wednesday 18 June.
It is understood the driver had been shopping inside the centre before returning to the vehicle.
Police swiftly responded within five minutes and attempted to block in the Landcruiser, in the carpark about 4.07pm.
The Landcruiser took evasive action to avoid police and drove through the middle of the shopping centre.
Thankfully, no one was struck by the car and there are no reported injuries.
Police did not discharge their firearms at any stage of the incident.
Officers located the stolen Landcruiser dumped in Beavers Road in Northcote about 5.10pm.
The vehicle was stolen from an address on King Street in Ivanhoe East on 2 June.
It is believed an electronic key reprogramming tool was used to steal the Landcruiser without the vehicle's keys.
Investigators arrested a 27-year-old East Melbourne man at a Hoddle Street address in East Melbourne about 8.30am this morning.
An electronic key reprogramming tool was seized during the arrest.
The man will be interviewed by detectives.
Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Anyone with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
