Man charged after chaotic car chase that ended in Northland

TWO MEN charged with stealing a Porsche and leading police on a dramatic chase face up to 20 years behind bars under new laws introduced on the same day.

TWO MEN charged with stealing a Porsche and leading police on a dramatic chase face up to 20 years behind bars under new laws introduced on the same day.

Darcy McKay, 26, and Mark Gilbert, 27, were arrested at Northland shopping centre after an alleged ramming of four police vehicles in Melbourne’s north yesterday.

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It is alleged a stolen Porsche rammed police on Grimshaw Street, near Plenty Road, during an attempted intercept about 12.20pm.

Police later found the Porsche in the shopping centre’s underground car park, where it allegedly rammed a further three police cars.

Police arrest a man over the pursuit at Northland. Picture: Supplied

McKay, of no fixed address, and Gilbert, of Preston, were arrested at the scene.

The pair was charged with a combined 62 offences, including theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, handling stolen goods and traffic-related offences.

The pair was also charged with offences including stealing five vehicles worth a combined $334,000 within the space of three weeks in March and April, along with trespass and dishonestly obtaining property.

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The men are also the first to be charged under anti-ramming laws which came into effect on Thursday — aggravated intentional exposure of an emergency worker to risk by driving.

The charge is among tough new laws designed to protect police and emergency workers and carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said anyone who uses their vehicle as a weapon against police officers “deserves to feel the full force of the law”.

Preston police’s Acting Commander Tim Hansen had earlier described the allegedly stolen Porsche coupe’s “horrendous and dangerous” path through the city’s north, allegedly running red lights and reaching speeds of up to 160kmh.

Emergency services at Northland Shopping Centre. Picture: Facebook.

He alleged the pursuit was the culmination of a string of traffic-related crimes and thefts of at least three cars.

Police first spotted the allegedly ­stolen Porsche on Edgar’s Rd in Thomastown at 12.20pm.

Officers gave chase but were forced to abandon the ground pursuit and call in the air wing.

Police monitored the stolen Porsche for hours across the northern suburbs and later found the car in the shopping centre’s underground car park, where it allegedly rammed a further three police cars.

Chaos at Northland shopping centre in Preston. Shoppers caught up in a police chase. @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/b4KcYYWxui

— Melina Sarris (@MelinaSarris7) April 5, 2018

Something is sure going on at Northland SC. Saw marked and unmarked police cars and officers carrying what i assume are spike strips. #preston #Northland

— Frothy (@Frothy_boy) April 5, 2018

The bandana-wearing occupants then allegedly attempted to flee officers on foot.

Batons and capsicum spray was used to make arrests.

Cdr Hansen said it was lucky no one was seriously injured or even killed during the high-speed chase.

“These behaviours could have quite easily resulted in a fatality or a serious injury,” he said.

A witness described the dramatic police chase as similar to scenes from video game Grand Theft Auto. Michael, who declined to give his surname, was in his car when he heard a police helicopter close by.

“I wound down my window and all I could hear was police sirens coming from every ­direction,” he explained.

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Both men did not apply for bail when they appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning.

The court was told McKay needed medical treatment for facial injuries, and Gilbert for leg and face injuries.

The men were remanded to reappear on June 28.

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