Fraser Rise man charged over car pursuit that left cop in hospital and Kmart at Watergardens Shopping Centre in lockdown
A man has been charged following a high speed car chase in Melbourne’s west involving an allegedly stolen car, which left a cop in hospital and a shopping centre in partial lockdown.
West
Don't miss out on the headlines from West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man has been charged following a high speed pursuit in Melbourne’s west that left a police officer in hospital and a shopping centre in partial lockdown.
A 33-year-old man from Fraser Rise has been charged after being arrested at Watergardens Shopping Centre in Taylors Lakes on Wednesday.
The driver was charged with more than 10 offences including reckless conduct endangering life, aggravated reckless exposure of a police officer to risk by driving and theft of a motor vehicle.
Police allege the man was at the wheel of a stolen Toyota and led cops through the western suburbs in a high speed pursuit.
Stop sticks were deployed before a police officer was struck on Aviation Drive in Diggers Rest as the vehicle sped off.
The Senior Constable was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The two male occupants then dumped the Toyota on Plumpton Rd and jumped into the tray of a ute that was allegedly being driven by a woman.
The pursuit ended at Watergardens Shopping Centre where the two men were arrested, the female driver had fled the scene before police arrived.
The alleged driver from Fraser Rise will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, with a 27-year-old Mernda man being released pending further inquiries as the search for the female driver, still underway.
The Herald Sun has been told the Watergardens shopping centre went into partial lockdown on the advice of police.
A worker at the centre said she was “terrified” because she thought there had been a stabbing.
“Police just told us to shut the store quickly. We saw two people run into Kmart store but when the police came out nobody was with them,” she said
Another staff member said she saw a man and a woman run into Kmart.
She said the man fell while trying to escape police and was arrested in front of Kmart.
“He fell down really badly, we heard a loud bang. In seconds, several police officers were over him and arrested him,” she said.
The Herald Sun understand the woman entered Kmart and tried to disguise herself before slipping out of the centre.
She fled on foot up Melton Highway.
Police continued their pursuit of the woman after viewing CCTV.
Shoppers took to social media to describe up to 50 uniform and plain clothed police swarming the centre in the early afternoon.
“Police are everywhere, back and side entrances to Kmart also, Kmart in lockdown, a lot of shops down that end are closed, one guy was caught, they still looking for the other person at this moment,” a person posted to social media.
A woman who was shopping at the time of the incident said she tried to leave via the underground carpark but her car was blocked by a “stolen” white ute.
“The aisle was blocked off. lots of police cars/bikes around it,” she said.
“They have taped the area off now but moved so I could leave. So scary!.”
A worker from a jewellery shop near Kmart said traders were left in the dark about what was unfolding.
“No alarms were sounded,” they said.
“We didn’t know what was going on and neither did shoppers.
“I’ve heard all kinds of things from gunshots being fired in Kmart to another jewellery shop being robbed.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Tragic twist for family of Wyndham Vale stabbing victim
A 24-year-old talented basketballer was fatally stabbed in an ambush attack. The shock death comes two years after his older brother was gunned down.
Read more
Dodgy chiro charged $60k in appointments he worked while suspended
A dodgy church-loving chiropractor, who was suspended after it was discovered he was in a relationship with a patient, continued to practise despite being unregistered.
Read more