Three men were arrested by police after a safe was stolen during an alleged robbery in Hoppers Crossing on Thursday morning.
Police responded to the break-in at about 12.40am at a telecommunications store on Old Geelong Road.
Werribee officers at the scene spotted a red SUV, with damage to its rear, leaving the area.
The Air Wing followed the car as it made its way onto the Princes Freeway towards Geelong, before performing performing a U-turn and passing through Port Melbourne, St Kilda and into the south-eastern suburbs.
Officers were attempting to intercept the car on Westall Road in Clayton South, when the offenders allegedly threw the safe from the rear of the vehicle.
The trio dumped the car in Gayle Court, Clayton South before driving off in a second car.
The Air Wing then observed the men dump the second car in Jason Place, Hampton Park where they fled on foot towards a third car in Branton Drive.
Police moved in and arrested the three men without incident.
The men, a 28-year-old from Carrum Downs, a 32-year-old from Bundoora and a 33-year-old from Skye, are assisting police with their inquiries.
