POLICE chiefs have ordered officers to stop a pursuit of suspected armed robbers across the south-west on Friday morning.
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It is understood that there was a burglary at a Warrnambool property last weekend and a firearm was stolen.
Warrnambool officers then conducted a raid at a Wangoom Road property during the week but the suspected offenders were unable to be located.
On Thursday morning there was an an armed robbery committed in Warrnambool and the stolen firearm was present.
Hamilton police then engaged in a pursuit of suspects on Friday morning which started about 9am.
That pursuit was terminated due to the danger posed to the public.
Officers continued to follow the vehicle from a distance with a plan that the car would eventually run out of petrol and officers could pounce.
The offending vehicle crossed the South Australian/Victorian border and back again after South Australia officers were going to deploy stop sticks.
It is alleged the driver drove at police officers.
At another time the driver or passenger contacted police while the vehicle was travelling at 160km/h and demanded police stop following.
Police in charge of the situation relented and officers were instructed to stand down.
The location of the vehicle is currently not known but investigations are continuing.
Requests for helicopter support and special operations group involvement have been unsuccessful.