‘A little bit of action’: Voss chases down alleged car thief who was armed with a knife

A quiet morning for Carlton coach Michael Voss was turned on its head on Tuesday when he chased down an alleged car thief armed with a knife and held on to him until police arrived.

Voss, a regular at Barton Milk Bar in Hawthorn, was waiting for his coffee order on Tuesday morning when a car flipped outside the cafe.

Michael Voss talks to police.Credit: Nine

The Blues boss was one of three or four people to go out and investigate. When two people emerged from the car and sprinted away, Voss took off in pursuit.

Cafe owner James Laskie, who also took part in the chase, told reporters at the scene that he had been making Voss’ coffee on what had been a quiet morning when he looked up and saw a car going through a roundabout fast enough to flip.

He described two young people, who appeared to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, emerging from the overturned car, collecting their belongings and then sprinting off.

Voss, who had been filming the situation, immediately pursued the pair and Laskie followed. Laskie said the chase had forced him and Voss had to “scale a couple of fences and jump over some bins and it was pretty hectic”.

While Voss grabbed a 16-year-old, the other person got away, though Laskie continued the chase. He said the 16-year-old had not been aggressive.

“We had to hold on to him until police arrived,” Laskie said, adding that police had found “quite a large knife” when they searched the boy.

Police confirmed they had arrested a 16-year-old Mooroopna boy after he tried to flee from an allegedly stolen Mercedes-Benz.

He has since been charged with theft of motor vehicle and possess a controlled weapon and will face a children’s court at a later date.

In a statement, they said officers were told the Mercedes lost control and rolled before it landed on its side on a footpath in Barton Street just before 9am.

Checks revealed the Mercedes was allegedly stolen from an address in Ivanhoe East on August 21.

“The two occupants ran from the scene. However, one teen was detained by a member of the public,” police said.

“Police continue to search for the second male offender, who is described as having a fair complexion, long blonde hair and wearing a black cap, black and white scarf, black hoodie and black pants.”

Voss, whose father is a retired police officer, briefly spoke to Nine at the scene.

“It was a little bit of action. I was sort of hoping to be on a couple of days’ break, but it’s all good,” he said.

The AFL competition will pause this weekend for a pre-finals bye before the Blues play an elimination final against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday week.

Voss said he had spoken to police, but he wouldn’t confirm specific details about the incident or his involvement.

Charli Linke, 20, a staff member at Barton Milk Bar, was working when the car flipped. She said she hadn’t heard the car coming.

“It was just when it flipped over when everyone sort of rushed outside,” she said, adding that the car had flipped near a children’s crossing but “thankfully, no one was walking there”. She called the police as her boss and the Carlton coach gave chase.

“It got a bit hectic here,” Linke said, as staff tried to keep up with their regular work and the attention from those interested in the incident.

The scene of the incident in Hawthorn.Credit: Nine News

“It’s been crazy, so many of the residents coming around to have a peek and getting a coffee.”

An onlooker, who contacted 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate said they wanted to give Voss “a huge shout-out” for his efforts.

In comments published on Felgate’s Instagram account, the witness, who described themselves as a “mad Bulldogs fan”, said the Blues would have a new supporter when they played their elimination final.

“Blues fans, what a fearless leader you have!”

A Carlton spokesman said Voss had not been injured.

“We can confirm he is completely fine, unharmed, and provided a full statement to police, given he witnessed the incident.

“Vossy is OK with it all. No harm done on his part.”

Laskie praised Voss’ quick thinking. “Vossy’s very fit, very quick … I wouldn’t want to be against him in a beep test,” he joked.

“I was just playing second fiddle,” he said of his own efforts. “The heart rate’s up there.”

Laskie said Voss’ coffee had been remade and the Blues coach would get a few on the house in future.

Voss’ heroics drew comparisons with the actions of another AFL luminary, the late Ron Barassi, also a former Carlton coach.

Then in his 70s, Barassi received an Australian Bravery Award after chasing and tackling an offender on New Year’s Day 2009.

Anyone who witnessed Tuesday’s incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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