Police were forced to use batons and capsicum spray to arrest a man driving an allegedly stolen vehicle in Melbourne's west.
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Brimbank Highway Patrol members were on a night patrol shift when they spotted a Toyota van bearing allegedly stolen number plates in St Albans about 11pm on Friday night.
Police followed the van north along St Albans Road to Elizabeth Street, a dead-end road that ends near Jamison Street Reserve.
The man was stopped when the vehicle he was travelling in crashed through a gate and became stuck on a grass embankment inside a property in Elizabeth Street.
Police spokeswoman Amelia Penhall said the man was attempting to free the van and escape police as they were approaching him.
With the assistance of batons and pepper spray, police were able to arrest the man.
An oral fluid test showed the presence of drugs in his system.
Police have interviewed a 29-year-old from Footscray.
The man has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, careless driving and drug-driving, and has been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 21.
The police members were patrolling the area as part of Operation Regnant. The unit was established almost three months ago to tackle rising crime in the western suburbs, particularly in Brimbank and Melton.
