A man and woman have been arrested by police after a loaded firearm was discovered in an allegedly stolen car in Maribyrnong overnight.
Westgate Highway Patrol officers first spotted the car travelling at a fast rate of speed on the Princes Freeway in Werribee, near Forsyth Road, about 11.30pm.
A check of the Nissan Navara flagged the vehicle was bearing false plates before the airwing was brought in to assist.
The utility was followed by the airwing who coordinated police units on the ground.
The driver and his female passenger dumped the vehicle in the vicinity of Pipemakers Park in Maribyrnong and walked off before officers on the ground converged and arrested the pair without incident.
A subsequent search of the vehicle, which was also confirmed to be stolen, uncovered the allegedly loaded firearm.
The 30-year-old man from Kensington has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, prohibited person possess firearm, dangerous driving while being pursued by police and drive whilst disqualified.
He has been held over to appear before Werribee Magistrates’ Court this morning.
The 22-year-old woman remains in custody and is expected to be interviewed this morning.
The Navara is alleged to have been stolen from an address in Footscray last week.
