Three youths charged following robberies, two-hour high-speed chase

Three teenagers have been charged after being arrested following a high speed chase in peak hour, which closed Melbourne's busy West Gate Bridge on Monday evening.

Two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old allegedly robbed a jewellery store in Lalor about 2pm, and a tobacconist in Preston, north of Melbourne 25 minutes later, before the getaway attempt across the north and west of the city, Victoria Police said.

The chase began in Narre Warren, in the south-east, when motorists called police about an “erratic driver”.

The driver, one of the underage boys, tried to evade police for two hours, taking a dark green Holden Commodore across the Melbourne's north and west in a bid to avoid arrest.

Witnesses said it was lucky the vehicle did not to collide with other vehicles, reaching speeds up to 150km/h.

The dangerous chase came to an end when more than a dozen police vehicles boxed the vehicle in on the West Gate Bridge about 5.30pm.

About 30 police officers then smashed their way to the driver and two passengers, pulled them from the vehicle and arrested him.

Seven News captured the moment the teen’s car was surrounded, and he was dragged out of the vehicle.

The trio, 17-year-old Cranbourne North boy and a 17-year-old Cranbourne boy and an 18-year-old Hampton Park man have all been charged with numerous offences including armed robbery, burglary, theft of motor vehicle and reckless conduct, according to police.

The 17-year-olds have both been remanded to appear in a children’s court, and the 18-year-old has been remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.

Police will investigate whether the youths were members of the Apex gang and whether they may be linked to some recent robberies and carjackings.