Stolen tow-truck rams undercover police car in Melbourne

A stolen tow-truck has rammed an undercover patrol car, almost knocking a female sergeant below its wheels in Melbourne.

Police intercepted the vehicle, which was carrying a ute on the Hume Highway, Somerton, just after 11.35pm yesterday.

As the officers left their car to speak with the driver, the truck reversed into the police vehicle, knocking an Acting Sergeant under the driver’s side door.

“It came within a metre or so of the back wheel so she's very lucky just to escape with a few bruises,” Detective Senior Constable Bradley Crompton said.

As the truck fled towards the city, investigators arrived at the scene near Oherns Road to inspect the damage to the vehicle.

The officers involved in the incident were treated by paramedics. 

Investigators believe the tow-truck was stolen from a business in the secluded Glenbarry Road. It was driven south to a waste business along the Hume Highway, where it was used in the theft of a Toyota Hilux.

Police found the tow-truck and attached ute dumped at Blue Gum Caravan Park on Cooper Street Service Road.

No arrests have been made over the Somerton ramming, with investigations ongoing.

In a separate incident, a 37-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly rammed a police vehicle in Victoria’s east yesterday.

The man is accused of driving an allegedly stolen Holden Commodore at officers in a divvy van on Vale Street, Moe, about 7.50pm. 

Police said the officers swerved to avoid collision with the Commodore.

The Commodore driver is then accused of speeding off, colliding with a tree on High Street before allegedly reversing into the approaching police van.

“I just heard the screech of brakes, then a bang,” resident Brian Johnson told 9News. 

The driver allegedly tried once again to flee, crashing into a unit on High Street before fleeing the scene on foot.

The suspect has since been arrested, and charged with 38 offences including intentionally exposing emergency service workers to risk by driving.

He faced an out-of-sessions bail hearing this evening.