'Unwell' woman lead police on car chase in Melbourne's CBD, before cops smashed window to arrest her
A dramatic car chase and arrest came after a concerned citizen flagged down a police van in Melbourne’s CBD because a woman inside a vehicle “looked unwell”.
Witnesses said the woman driving a red Hyundai sped off when the police vehicle arrived and parked behind her, with sirens blazing, about 10am on Tuesday near the corner of Russell and Bourke Streets.
The driver reportedly refused to stop as she sped down Russell Street making a number of U-turns, before police stop sticks forced her to car to come to a stop.
When officers caught up with the on-the-run vehicle, it is believed the woman refused to come out of her car so they smashed their way in through a car window.
Police can be heard yelling at the woman to turn the car off, but she refuses.
Confronting vision of the incident was provided to 7 News, taken by a bystander.
It shows the woman refuse to open her door, and it subsequently pepper sprayed as she screams for help.
The spray lasts approximately five seconds before she unlocks her car door and runs from police.
Officers then knock the woman to the ground as she screams for help.
"Stop, stop, stop," she yells. "I'm sorry."
The officers then roll the woman onto her side and attempt to put water on her eyes, but she refuses to stay still.
"Stop resisting," the officers can be heard telling the woman.
"It's burning like hell," the woman screams in front of shocked onlookers.
"Someone help me."
The woman is allowed to sit up after she complains of being unable to breathe.
"Someone get my a tissue," she yells.
"Don't hold me like that."
The officer replies: "Don't tell me what to do. You sit still."
But when she fails to listen to commands to stay still, she is again put face down on the ground as more officers arrive to restrain the woman.
"Stop it, let me go," she is heard yelling.
The woman was later transported to hospital for assessment, and her condition remains unknown.
It is also unknown if any charges will be laid as a result of the car chase and arrest.
News break – July 26
