A 20-year-old man has been charged following a crime spree in south-east Melbourne that resulted in two police officers being hospitalised. The incident occurred yesterday morning when the unmarked police car collided with a Holden Commodore ute in Arena Square, Noble Park, shortly before 10.30 am. The police were pursuing the ute, which they believed was connected to two armed robberies that morning.
Around 9.25 am, two men allegedly robbed a tobacco shop on Centre Road in Bentleigh, during which one offender injured a male staff member with a knife. Approximately 25 minutes later, the suspects targeted another tobacco store on Como Parade in Mentone, stealing cigarettes and jewellery before fleeing in the same vehicle.
Following the pursuit, footage showed the ute losing control before crashing into the police car. Both the 20-year-old and an 18-year-old from Doveton were arrested and taken to hospital. The older man faces multiple charges, including armed robbery and assault with a weapon, and has been remanded to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The other suspect remains in hospital under police custody. Fortunately, the two officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to contact Crime Stoppers.