A WANTED man at the centre of a police hunt allegedly jumped into a Wodonga Highway Patrol vehicle, smashing the windscreen, as he tried to evade officers.
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The 25-year-old was arrested this week after a manhunt through several blocks near Chapple Street on January 25.
Victorian officers blocked off several roads in a bid to catch the wanted man, who had outstanding arrest warrants and was wanted for parole breaches in NSW.
It’s alleged the man had jumped into the highway patrol vehicle as it moved into position to prevent his escape.
The impact smashed the car’s windscreen and the man fled, leaving bloodstains through several streets and properties.
Residents were told to lock their doors.
Wodonga detectives, along with officers from the Maribyrnong Crime Investigation Unit and members from Altona North, tracked the man down to a home in the Melbourne suburb of Maidstone.
The 25-year-old was arrested at a property on Crefden Street without incident on Tuesday.
A search uncovered a large amount of dried marijuana, cash, human growth hormone, false number plates, fireworks, designer handbags and mobile phones.
Police searched a home linked to the man in Baranduda on Thursday and seized documents allegedly linking him to a charge of dealing with the proceeds of crime.
While the wanted man has previously lived in Albury-Wodonga, he is believed to have been living in Melbourne since late last year.
He has been charged with drug trafficking, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, storing explosives and steroid possession.
He appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was further remanded to court in Sunshine on March 14.
Detective Acting Sergeant Justin Foots said it was good to bring the man into custody.
“It was a positive outcome,” he said.
“It was an unnecessary incident.”
Police had moved to assure the public after the Chapple Street incident that the wanted man was not armed and did not pose a threat to the public.