Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged two people after a Victoria Police vehicle was allegedly rammed in Alfredton early on Wednesday morning.
In a statement, Victoria Police said officers were on patrol on Learmouth Street when they spotted a Jeep Cherokee displaying false plates just before 1.30am on Wednesday.
“The officers approached the vehicle and parked directly behind the Jeep, which was stopped at a service station,” VicPol said.
“The driver, a 33-year-old Wendouree man, allegedly reversed the Jeep and collided with the police vehicle before fleeing northbound.”
The officers inside the vehicle were not injured.
Officers later arrested the 33-year-old man in Golden Point. With assistance from the Air Wing, Police followed the man’s vehicle through Snake Valley, Cardigan and Redan, before it eventually came to a stop on Curnow Street at around 5pm.
Police will allege the Jeep was being driven erratically and at excessive speed throughout the follow.
“A 33-year-old woman from Black Hill, who Police will allege was a passenger in the Jeep during both incidents, was also arrested at the scene,” VicPol said.
“Police will further allege the woman failed to stop at a red light and collided with another vehicle on Fussell Street in Ballarat East on 16 September. Police attempted to intercept the Jeep on this occasion but were unsuccessful. The Jeep then fled the scene, and the other driver was not seriously injured.”
The man has since been charged with two counts of recklessly exposure of police officer to risk by driving; two counts of drive in manner dangerous, and one count each of reckless conduct endanger life, fail to stop on police direction, unlicenced driving, fraudulently use registration plate, criminal damage and traffick methylamphetamine. He remains in hospital under police guard.
The woman was charged with dangerous drive whilst pursued by police, reckless conduct endanger life, fail to stop on police direction, negligently deal in proceeds of crime, two counts of possess methylamphetamine, one count each of possess cannabis, possess buprenorphine, possess prescription drug without prescription, fail to stop at the scene of an accident, careless driving, criminal damage and drive whilst disqualified.
