Carlton Coach Michael Voss Apprehends Alleged Car Thief After Hawthorn Crash

A dramatic incident unfolded in Hawthorn on Tuesday morning when AFL coach Michael Voss apprehended a 16-year-old boy following a car crash involving an allegedly stolen Mercedes Benz.

The crash occurred near a school crossing around 9 am, as reported by local cafe owner James Laskie, who witnessed the event. Laskie described hearing a loud bang before seeing the vehicle flip onto its side on the footpath along Barton Street.

After the crash, two occupants of the car exited and attempted to flee the scene. Laskie noted that Voss, who was present at the cafe for his morning coffee, immediately gave chase to the fleeing individuals. The chase was described as hectic, involving scaling fences and jumping over bins.

Despite one suspect managing to escape, Voss successfully tackled the second individual, holding him until law enforcement arrived approximately five minutes later. Police later confirmed the arrest of the boy from Mooroopna, while they continue to search for the second suspect, who remains at large.

Victoria Police stated that the crashed vehicle had been reported stolen from a residence in Ivanhoe East earlier in the week. No serious injuries were reported from the incident, which transpired in proximity to a busy school crossing.

Staff and patrons at the cafe expressed relief that no children were present during the incident, emphasizing the potential for a more serious outcome. Voss was noted to have resumed his coffee routine after the incident concluded, demonstrating his quick thinking and physical capability in the face of an unexpected situation.