By Shelby Brooks
A Hampton Park man is one of a string of individuals arrested following two separate car chases in Pakenham on Friday afternoon, 7 April.
Officers responded to reports a black Audi sedan with no registration plates allegedly driving erratically on Cardinia Road, just after 3.15pm.
Police spotted the vehicle and attempted to intercept it, but it’s alleged the car didn’t stop and took off at a fast rate of speed.
With assistance from the Air Wing, police followed the vehicle through a number of streets in Pakenham.
Stop-sticks were deployed on Duncan Drive, successfully puncturing all four tyres.
It’s believed that the car continued to drive with flat wheels for a short distance when it finally came to a stop in The Parkway.
A 25-year-old man from Ringwood, a 31-year-old Hampton Park man and a 24-year-old Malvern East woman were arrested at the scene.
They were all taken to hospital after falling ill.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or with information that could assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
Separately, around the same time a local couple going for a Good Friday walk with their dogs were shocked to witness the arrest of a group of teenagers, as Pakenham experienced a busy day of police action.
The couple said they were fitting in their daily walk between rain showers around 2pm on Friday 7 April when they heard an Audi screech to a stop on Thwaites Road.
“We thought it was spinning out from hitting a light pole and started walking toward it to see if everyone was OK,” the husband said.
Moments later, three or four unmarked police cars surrounded the Audi and officers started shouting for the occupants to exit the vehicle.
The couple said the occupants were wearing balaclavas and had something in their hands, believed to be a weapon.
“It was a surreal moment. How does this happen in our quiet street?” the husband said.
“I think it was the driver who opened the door and made a run for it down the hill towards us.”
Worried for their safety, the husband and wife quickly hid in a neighbour’s front yard until they were able to recount what occurred to the police officers present.
Later, police said they charged five teenagers following an alleged crime spree across multiple suburbs of Melbourne on 7 April.
It’s alleged the group were involved in the theft of two motor vehicles in Kooyong as well as criminal damage of windows and vehicles at a Brighton East property.
It’s also alleged the group were involved in armed robberies across Knox.
The group were arrested in the allegedly stolen Audi in Pakenham just after 3pm.
The stolen BMW and its occupants remain outstanding.
A 13-year-old Dandenong boy was charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, attempted armed robbery and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
A 14-year-old Catani boy was charged with dangerous driving while being pursued by police, two counts of theft of motor vehicle and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
A 15-year-old Springvale South boy was charged with attempted car jacking and theft of motor vehicle.
Those three boys have been remanded to face a children’s court at a later date.
A 15-year-old Dandenong boy and 16-year-old Hallam girl have been charged with theft of motor vehicle, who have been bailed to appear in a children’s court at a later date.
