Epping theft ends in CBD arrests

One of the suspects arrested in the CBD Photo: Marc Moncrief/The Age

Five people, including at least one juvenile, are in custody after a luxury car stolen in Epping smashed into a police vehicle at a busy intersection in Melbourne’s CBD. Sergeant Andrew Lawrence, from Darebin CIU, said the group were all suspects in relation to several armed robberies in the North West Metropolitan region.”At about lunchtime today investigators located a stolen vehicle, an Audi Q5, that was stolen yesterday in the Epping area,” he said, speaking to reporters at the scene.

“Members kept that car under observation and utilised the Air Wing. ”

Police had followed the car without initiating a pursuit to several locations in the north western suburbs before it headed into the city shortly after 1pm, he said.

“The incident came to an end at this intersection here, at the corner of Flinders and King streets, where an arrest of opportunity was made,” he said.

Capsicum spray was used and police smashed the windscreen of the car with batons during the course of the arrests, Sergeant Lawrence said.

“Members did have to use some force but all were safely arrested,” Sergeant Lawrence said.

The driver of the car received minor injuries and police and the suspects were temporarily affected by the OC spray, he said.

No civilians or police were injured in the ordeal which temporarily shut down Flinders Street near Spencer Street.

One of the men had attempted to flee up King Street but was quickly apprehended on foot, he said.

The group were taken to the Mill Park Police Station for questioning and police will move the car to another location to be searched.

View more pictures and raw vision of the incident at The Age