Two men charged after driving vehicles with cloned plates
The pair face a string of charges relating to theft, police pursuit, using false plates and dangerous driving.
Two men have been charged with driving a stolen vehicle at excessive speeds – with false plates attached to it too.
According to Victoria Police, officers spotted the Ford Falcon while it was travelling along Coburns Road in Melton in Melbourne's west, before it entered the Western Freeway on 30 April 2024.
Cops gave chase, and attempted to stop the vehicle, which was heading in the direction of Ballarat Airport, but the driver did not comply with police directions.
Victoria Police's Air Wing clocked the car driving at up to 180km/h before stop sticks were deployed in the regional town of Navarre – 227km northwest of Melbourne.
Police said the vehicle continued driving before finally coming to a halt along Bolangum Inn Road in Paradise.
The two men in the Ford Falcon allegedly fled on foot and were arrested a short time later.
A 43-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences relating to vehicle theft, dangerous driving, police pursuit, failure to follow police directions, excessive speeding, using false plates and "going equipped to steal".
A second 40-year-old man has been charged with car theft and going equipped with tools to steal.
Both have been bailed and are expected to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 20 September 2024.
