During a routine patrol in the Tarneit area on the night of October 31, police officers noticed three cars stationed in a parking lot around 10:50 PM.

In a sudden turn of events, one driver reportedly reversed their vehicle into a police car and sped off, nearly hitting an officer as they fled the scene.

The police Air Wing was deployed to track the escaping vehicle, capturing footage of a passenger leaping out of the moving car onto Inverell Parkway.

Authorities quickly detained a 28-year-old man following the incident.

The driver was apprehended as well, after allegedly trying to evade capture by concealing himself behind a fence.

Upon searching the vehicle, police allegedly discovered a firearm, ammunition, more than $54,000 in cash, along with quantities of cocaine and MDMA.

The 21-year-old driver was charged with several offences including possessing a handgun, trafficking cocaine and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 27.

A further 13 people were arrested in the city’s west during the two-night crime crackdown, nicknamed Operation Shows.

Among those arrested were three men who attempted to evade police in an allegedly stolen ute before becoming bogged in a paddock in Wyndham Vale.

Police Air Wing vision captured the trio as they allegedly tried to run from police on foot.

The 30-year-old driver was later charged with theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified and failing to stop on police direction.

Operation Shows involved local police teaming up the Air Wing and Dog Squad to target crimes including aggravated burglaries, car thefts and dangerous driving.

“People driving around in stolen cars without a licence and at speed are not only a danger to our roads but they’re also likely to go on and commit further crimes that night,” Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Lewis said.

“That’s why operations like Shows are so important – and effective – because we can safely stop these offenders in their tracks.

“These arrests show that while you might not always see us, we are always there.”