Melbourne driver involved in four pursuits leaves a swathe of petrol bills and a burnt-out car in his wake

Police are searching for the driver of a stolen car who has been chased by police four times, before his car was found burnt-out in a paddock in Melbourne’s north-west.

Police released CCTV vision today showing the offender in a 1998 silver Nissan Skyline, pulling up to a petrol station and helping himself to fuel before driving off without paying.

Within hours of the CCTV footage going public, the car was found alight near a lake with the engine removed in Hascombe Drive, Caroline Springs.

“I just saw flames, and then I called the cops,” Witness Natalie Spiteri said.

Acting Commander Neil Paterson said the crimes suggested someone with a criminal history stealing cars was the likely culprit.

“Here we have a man in a stolen car, at speed, engaging police in four separate pursuits in three weeks.”

The first police pursuit occurred on March 4 in Greeves Street, St Kilda. A short pursuit was called off at Punt Road.

The following day another drive-off occurred at a petrol station before the man sped away from police on Barkly Street, St Kilda and later on High Street, Kew.

On March 6, police pursued the car from St Kilda to Footscray, calling the chase off after 10 minutes.

Police are appealing to anyone who may recognise the man seen in the CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.