Vic man in custody after flipping car

A man is under police guard in hospital after crashing his car into a pole in Melbourne's CBD before it flipped and slid along Swanston Street.

Police have alleged it was the end of a series of crimes for the 36-year-old Ballarat man who they say entered a home in St Kilda about 5.30am on Friday.

The man left after allegedly waking the occupant of that house before stealing a black Holden Rodeo from a service station on Barkly Street an hour later.

It is alleged he was travelling along Swanston Street about 6.40am when he crashed into the pole.

The car came to rest on the tram tracks at the intersection of Swanston and Bourke streets.

The man was said to be bleeding from the head as he fled on foot following the crash.

Police found him a short time later at Southern Cross Station.

He was taken to hospital but will face court later on Friday charged with aggravated burglary, motor vehicle theft and reckless conduct endangering life.