EastLink car filled with stolen petrol before dramatic hit-run
UPDATE: A CAR which struck a policeman sparking a shooting incident on EastLink was involved in a petrol drive off, it has been revealed, as the officer recovers from injury.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A CAR which struck a police officer who then opened fire on EastLink was involved in a petrol drive off only hours before the drama.
CCTV released this afternoon shows the dark Ford XR6 Falcon sedan at a Bayswater service station on Mountain Highway about 11.30am yesterday.
The male driver fills up before driving off without paying.
Police believe the vehicle then entered EastLink via Boronia Rd city-bound before the hit-run attack just past the Melba Tunnel in Donvale about 1.20pm.
The man police wish to speak with is Caucasian with dark hair.
He wore sunglasses with a white T-shirt and jeans.
The highway patrol officer pulled his gun and opened fire at the car just before it hit him, a witness said.
Acting Supt David Griffin this afternoon pleaded for anyone with information about the wanted driver’s whereabouts to come forward.
Investigators were yet to identify any suspects.
“We are certain that people know who this person is. We’re certain people have information that they can give us and we’d like to hear from those people,’’ he said.
“We also know that person is obviously aware that we are looking for him and we certainly ask him to hand himself in to police.
“We’re very keen to capture this person for his safety and the safety of others.
“We know that he’s very intent on evading police and we just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
It was believed the vehicle, brandishing number plates stolen from a Volkswagen, was involved in other petrol drive offs before the one at the Caltex Woolworths Bayswater outlet leading up to yesterday’s incident on EastLink.
The vehicle would likely have a bullet hole and damage to the door handle on the left hand side and possibly to the front.
Supt Griffin said he had visited the injured officer, who has a wife and young child.
“He’s in good spirits, he’s very sore but he is recovering well at home,’’ he said.
There had been no further confirmed sightings of the wanted car, a dark Ford Falcon XR6 sedan, since one at Kew East about 2.45pm yesterday.
That sighting happened 20 minutes after the EastLink incident.
The vehicle had Victorian numberplates 1EJ 6PE.
Supt Griffin added: “We attempted to intercept that vehicle but that vehicle was in no uncertain terms in a hurry to get away from our location and no pursuit entailed as a result.”
Police believe the driver is aged between 18 and early 20s.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.