THE FLASHING lights in the rear vision mirror were at perhaps two kilometres away. Well back, but on the flat straight stretch of road between Avalon and Little River and the thin morning traffic they stood out brightly.
Within seconds, though, the lights were looming large and what looked like one vehicle became apparent as two – one a dark grey Holden Commodore, the other a police car hard in its tail.
As I pulled into the outside lane the pair tore past in a flash of roaring engines, screaming siren and whirring flashing light.
The Commodore’s lack of a number plate suggested offences other than just dangerously fast speeding. Both cars whipped past and while I was travelling at 100kmh. I felt as if I was stationary on the side of the highway.
Police say they pulled out of the pursuit as the Commodore hit 170 kmh. I watched the police car as it eased back from the chase and moved to a break in the median strip of the highway.
The Commodore roared away towards Melbourne and was out of sight in what seemed no time at all.
Police weren’t sure if the car was connected with similar reports in Healesville, in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, on Friday. In that incident a dark coloured VT Commodore sedan on the Maroondah Highway at Healesville after it was detected speeding on Friday afternoon just before 3pm.
Police attempted to intercept that car but due to the driver’s driving and safety concerns no pursuit was initiated.
The car has been seen overtaking and crossing double lines near the Maroondah dam and travelling at high speed along the main street in Healesville.
Investigators believe the driver and his passenger, aged in their early 20s are local and have knowledge of the area.
The car is described as black with a silver strip around the bottom of the vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
— NOEL MURPHY
