An alleged car thief attempted to evade police officers by jumping into a river after a late-night car chase, but the man did not realise his swimming route was tracked by a helicopter.

His arrest comes as police in Melbourne's outer western suburbs crack down on car thieves and dangerous drivers, with 34 other alleged offenders arrested in two nights.

Werribee police officers started the pursuit when they saw an allegedly stolen Toyota Prado, with stolen number plates, driving in Truganina at 10.55pm on September 12.

A 45-year-old Melton man, who was allegedly driving the stolen car, drove to Richmond in the city's inner east and allegedly stole petrol and ran multiple red lights.

Victoria Police Air Wing was tracking the car from above, and continued to follow the driver when the

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