Prahran police crack 29-year hit-run investigation

Prahran police yesterday arrested a 61-year-old Oakdowns, Tasmania man almost 30 years after a serious incident that left two police officers injured.

On 25 February 1993, the officers approached a vehicle in Arthur Street, Prahran that had been identified as stolen from a St Kilda East address during an aggravated burglary on 3 February.

As police approached the vehicle the then 33-year-old allegedly drove at and struck the officers.

A 22-year-old officer was thrown from the bonnet and fell to the ground injuring her hands and knees while a 25-year-old officer subsequently suffered career ending injuries to their lower back.

A short pursuit ensued and the Oakdowns man, who resided in Prahran at the time, was subsequently arrested in South Yarra.

The man was charged with 22 offences including conduct endangering life, assault of a police officer, unlawful assault, assault with a weapon and fail to stop at an accident.

He was bailed by the Melbourne Magistrates Court to attend a committal hearing on 5 July 1993 however, failed to appear.

Police tracked the man around Australia for nearly 30 years, before locating him in Oakdowns, Tasmania.

The now 61-year-old Oakdowns man self-presented to the Prahran Police Station on Wednesday 6 July. He has been bailed for a committal mention on 4 August 2022.

Victoria Police reminds the community that it is never okay to assault an emergency worker with the crime now carrying a mandatory six-month jail sentence.

Quotes attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Timothy Moreland:

“Victoria Police’s number one priority is, and always will be, to protect and serve our community however, no police officer expects to suffer career ending injuries in the line of duty.

“Today’s arrest was only possible thanks to the dedication of those who came before and sends a very clear warning that it is never okay to assault emergency workers whose sole role is to serve the community.

“It does not matter what offence you commit, who you commit it against, or when it was committed. We will not give up our investigation, we will track you down and you will face the consequences for your actions.”

/Public Release. View in full here.