The 36-year-old Point Cook man was charged yesterday after he took police on an erratic pursuit after allegedly stealing a van about 5.40am last Friday.
Police allege the van was being driven erratically and at speed when it was involved in collisions with several parked cars and moving vehicles throughout the morning.
There were no serious injuries.
The alleged offender has been charged with a raft of offences including theft of a motor vehicle, 12 counts of reckless conduct endangering life, 17 counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving and two counts of committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
He is expected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
Allegedly failing to stop for police, the van triggered a pursuit through Footscray, Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Spotswood, Carnegie, Sunshine, Dandenong and Point Cook.
The hours-long chase came to a crashing end on Dunnings Road in Point Cook just after 1pm, when the van ran over a street sign which became caught under the vehicle.
Helicopter footage showed the man jumping from the window of the van and attempting to flee on foot, before he was hit by an oncoming unmarked police car.
He was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital under police guard, where 9News understands he remains.
