An Altona Meadows man has been charged with 55 offences following a series of crimes involving vehicles across the western suburbs.
Investigations began on May 3 following a series of stolen vehicles used in petrol thefts.
The 36-year-old was identified in the investigation, and was identified later on in relation to a number of stolen vehicles.
Detectives from the Hobsons Bay Criminal Investigation Unit detectives responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle at Federation Close in Altona Meadows on June 1, where three stolen vehicles were identified.
Police say the man fled the scene and drove towards detectives who were trying to arrest him. They were forced to jump out of the path to avoid being struck.
Police were last week led to a house at Lena Court in Hoppers Crossing. The man attempted to flee on foot, but was arrested at the scene.
He was charged with 55 offences, including conduct endangering life, 10 thefts of motor vehicle, four counts of motor vehicle, two counts of petrol thefts and resisting arrest.
He has also been linked to more than $800,000 of thefts from hire companies at Melbourne Airport.
He has been remanded in custody.
Two accomplices, a male and female in their 30s, were arrested and charged with theft of motor vehicle and theft from motor vehicle. They have been bailed to appear in court in September.
