Dogs sniff out Melbourne petrol thief

Police dogs have sniffed out a suspected petrol thief hiding in scrub after a police chase in outer Melbourne.

Officers tried to pull over a ute that had been reported for driving off without paying for petrol and was displaying stolen number plates in Werribee about 1.30am on Wednesday.

Police chased the car to nearby parkland, where it stalled and its three occupants, including a teenager, fled.

Two of the men were caught by police, who had to use capsicum spray on one of them.

The third disappeared in nearby bushland but was tracked down by the dog squad.

The unlicensed driver, aged 22, has been charged with theft, conduct endangering life, careless driving and other traffic offences.

A 19-year-old Geelong man and a 16-year-old Werribee boy have also been charged with theft.