By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
AN Endeavour Hills man is in police custody after swapping between several allegedly stolen cars during a three-hour chase from Dandenong to East Gippsland today.
Police said the 25-year-old allegedly wielded a firearm when Dandenong detectives tried to execute a search warrant at a house in Rogers Street Dandenong at 10.30am.
A police spokeswoman said police tried to negotiate with the man but he refused to co-operate.
At 11.30am, the man drove off in an allegedly stolen white ute with a 20-year-old woman, who was known to him.
He allegedly drove through Ferntree Gully, Pakenham, Warragul, Morwell, Yarragon, Moe, Newmans Creek and Bairndale before being intercepted by Special Operations Group police at Swan Reach – near Lakes Entrance – about 2.30pm.
Police allege the man stole several vehicles during the chase, “pulling out the drivers and dumping the cars as he went”.
Along the way, he crashed one of the vehicles at Newmans Creek, where his passenger was arrested by police.
Near Bairnsdale, he jumped into the back seat of a car and ordered the driver to drive towards Lakes Entrance.
Police say a police pursuit wasn’t initiated but the man was monitored by police airwing and vehicles from a distance. No-one was injured.
This morning’s search warrant related to an investigation into stolen cars, police said.
Anyone with information on the incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
