By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A PAKENHAM man allegedly forced motorists off the road as he tried to evade police by travelling more than 100km/h over the speed limit through Nar Nar Goon.
The 23-year-old escaped police at high speed but was later arrested, and is expected to be charged with a range of serious driving offences.
Cardinia Highway Patrol officers armed with laser speed sensors first detected the driver speeding down the Princes Freeway just after 4.20pm on Tuesday 26 April.
Police caught up with the man, travelling in an orange Ford sedan, and attempted to pull the car over but it hastily pulled away at speeds in excess of 226km/h.
The car continued to pull away from police, overtaking cars in the emergency stopping lane and forcing motorists from the road.
Police did not pursue the car, however other units were notified to keep a lookout for the car before it was seen exiting the freeway at Cardinia Road.
The sedan was then intercepted by police in Village Way Pakenham without incident.
The 23-year-old Pakenham driver was arrested by police.
It is expected he will be charged on summons with conduct endangering people, speed dangerous, manner dangerous, evading police and other traffic offences.
The car was immediately seized and impounded for 30 days with a cost of $972 issued for the car to be returned.
Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Grainger slammed the driver for his blatant disregard for other motorists’ safety.
He said the incident highlighted the challenges members faced when dealing with those who chose to break the law in the community.
“The professionalism shown by our members in this circumstance has resulted in the safe apprehension of this man,” he said.
“‘This should give our community confidence that we are committed to investigate, apprehend and prosecute offenders who make deliberate choices to breach the law and community expectations.”
