Police car, truck damaged in botched arrest on Monash Freeway

Multiple early morning commuters and a police vehicle have had their tyres slashed on the Monash Freeway on Tuesday in a bugled stop-sticks operation.

A small truck, car and police vehicle have had their tyres slashed on the Monash Freeway after a botched arrest. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A truck, car and police vehicle have had their tyres slashed on the Monash Freeway on Tuesday morning after a botched arrest.

Police were attempting to halt a suspicious red Suzuki Swift displaying stolen registration plates when they deployed the stop-sticks on the freeway in Wheelers Hill about 4.10am.

Officers had previously followed the police-evading car across several suburbs in Melbourne.

The Air Wing and police on the ground followed the Suzuki from Waterways, north along Springvale Rd through Dandenong, Moorabbin and Richmond.

Stop-sticks were deployed on the freeway, near the Springvale Rd off-ramp, as the Suzuki drove eastbound.

The car managed to avoid the stop-sticks which instead shredded the tyres of a small truck, civilian car and police vehicle.

MONASH FREEWAY (M1), WHEELERS HILL - Left lane closed outbound and speed reduced to 40km/h past Springvale Road due to a police incident. Drive with caution and allow extra time past the incident. https://t.co/BaOqR3TIzx#VicTraffic

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) August 12, 2024

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the Suzuki is yet to be located and investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The Department of Transport said the left lane is currently closed outbound on the Monash Freeway in Wheelers Hill and speed has been reduced to 40km/h past Springvale Rd.

“Drive with caution and allow extra time past the incident," they said.

Anyone who witnessed the Suzuki Swift, with any dashcam/CCTV is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au