Pair charged after stolen vehicle drives through Melbourne's Northwest

An alleged driver and passenger have been charged after a stolen vehicle was driven through St Albans, Cairnlea and Deer Park late last night.

Officers patrolling St Albans caught sight of an allegedly stolen white Mercedes van on Gladstone Street around 10.30pm.

An attempt was made to intercept the van before it allegedly refused to pullover and continued driving.

Police kept their distance as the van travelled on the Ring Road, Greensborough bound, eventually driving into the Cairnlea area.

It is alleged a passenger got out of the van in the vicinity of Minvi Terrace.

Officers arrested a 40-year-old St Albans woman at the scene.

The van continued to drive through Deer Park and Albanvale, police keeping eyes on the allegedly stolen vehicle all the while.

Police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device on the van in the vicinity of Kardinia Drive.

The van continued to drive for some time on punctured tyres, before coming to a complete stop in a shopping centre carpark on Station Road in Deer Park.

Officers moved in and swiftly arrested a 50-year-old Albanvale man, alleged to be the driver, and recovered the van.

There were no injuries.

The woman was interviewed, charged with drug possession and bailed to appear before the Sunshine Magistrates’ court at a later date.

The man was interviewed, charged with theft and numerous driving offences and remanded to appear before the Sunshine Magistrates’ court today.

Investigators allege the white van was stolen while unlocked during a delivery in Melbourne’s CBD on 20 May.

Senior Constable Paul Hogan

Media Unit

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