Police dogs help arrest men in Werribee bike rider chase, Ascot Vale crash

Two members of Victoria police’s dog squad deserve some extra treats after they helped in the arrests of two men in separate incidents across Melbourne.

Two men were arrested in separate incidents in Werribee and Ascot Vale overnight, with police dogs tracking them down.

Victoria police’s dog squad have helped officers sniff out two men who were allegedly riding or driving stolen bikes and cars during a busy night in Melbourne’s north and west.

In Werribee, police dog Hunter and his handler tracked down a man who was spotted on an allegedly stolen motorbike in Osprey St about 11.25pm on February 1.

Officers suspected the bike had stolen number plates and tried to pull the rider over on nearby Pidgeon St before he sped off.

The man then fell off his bike near Daphne Crescent Reserve and ran away.

Officers found a helmet lying on the ground as they searched for the man, before Hunter and his handler found him hiding in bushes in the front yard of a home in nearby Hakea Ct.

Police dogs Hunter and Mauser helped in the arrests of two men in separate incidents involving an allegedly stolen bike and an allegedly stolen 4WD within two hours. Pictures: Supplied.

They arrested the 43-year-old man and also seized alleged quantities of cannabis and meth, along with wire cutters and other items.

Officers suspect the Honda CB300 bike was stolen from Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre in November.

The Werribee man, who suffered a laceration to his arm, is under police guard in hospital and is expected to be interviewed.

Just over an hour later, police dog Mouser helped track down a man who crashed an allegedly stolen 4WD into a brick fence in Ascot Vale about 12.40am on Thursday.

Investigators believe the P-plater ran a red light at the intersection of Maribyrnong and Ascot Vale roads before the Toyota Landcruiser, believed to have been stolen in a prior aggravated burglary in Kew, hit the fence.

Another nearby car was damaged in the crash, which in turn led to a pedestrian light falling over.

The Toyota driver ran from the scene, which was cordoned off by officers, before Mouser and his handler found him hiding in a nearby alleyway, where he was arrested.

The 19-year-old Cairnlea man is assisting police with their inquiries, and is expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court over the incident today.

The driver of the other car damaged in the incident escaped uninjured.

Any witnesses of the Ascot Vale crash can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.