On October 31, law enforcement officers were conducting patrols in the Tarneit region when they noticed three vehicles situated in a parking lot around 10:50 pm.

In a sudden turn of events, one motorist reportedly reversed into a police vehicle before speeding off, coming perilously close to striking an officer.

The police Air Wing tracked the car from above, capturing footage of a passenger leaping out onto Inverell Parkway while the vehicle was still in motion.

Shortly thereafter, authorities apprehended a 28-year-old man.

The driver met a similar fate, as he was caught after allegedly trying to conceal himself behind a fence in a bid to escape.

A search of the car allegedly uncovered a gun, ammunition, over $54,000 in cash, cocaine and MDMA.

The 21-year-old driver was charged with several offences including possessing a handgun, trafficking cocaine and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 27.

A further 13 people were arrested in the city’s west during the two-night crime crackdown, nicknamed Operation Shows.

Among those arrested were three men who attempted to evade police in an allegedly stolen ute before becoming bogged in a paddock in Wyndham Vale.

Police Air Wing vision captured the trio as they allegedly tried to run from police on foot.

The 30-year-old driver was later charged with theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified and failing to stop on police direction.

Operation Shows involved local police teaming up the Air Wing and Dog Squad to target crimes including aggravated burglaries, car thefts and dangerous driving.

“People driving around in stolen cars without a licence and at speed are not only a danger to our roads but they’re also likely to go on and commit further crimes that night,” Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Lewis said.

“That’s why operations like Shows are so important – and effective – because we can safely stop these offenders in their tracks.

“These arrests show that while you might not always see us, we are always there.”