Footy star makes dramatic citizen's arrest

A Victorian footy star has posed with police over a man in handcuffs after a dramatic citizen’s arrest in New South Wales.

Shaun Lewis was on holiday with his family in Mildura when he took a short day trip to Gol Gol, just over the NSW border this week.

The former Bell Post Hill Panthers player and Whitley medallist sprang into action after police tried to pull over the driver of an allegedly stolen car who was driving at speeds in excess of 160km/h.

The 39-year-old saw the vehicle break down and the suspect trying to run away on foot.

“I had my thongs on and noticed that he was running,” Mr Lewis told the Geelong Advertiser.

“So I started running out and chased him.”

Lewis eventually caught up with the man and tackled him to the ground until police were able to catch up and make an arrest.

“It was just a spur of the moment thing,” Lewis said.

“I saw something was wrong and thought, ‘I’ll just go and get him’.”

Police allegedly found stolen ammunition and other stolen property inside the stolen vehicle.

The offender has been refused bail and will appear in Wentworth court next week.

He is facing a number of charges, including driving a stolen vehicle and possessing stolen property and ammunition.