Updated, 6:30pm Thursday: A Geilston Bay man has been charged with vehicle theft and dangerous driving after a chaotic road incident in Hobart today.
Police allege the 29-year-old stole a vehicle from Blackmans Bay around 9:30am before driving it recklessly through central Hobart.
Police attempted to spike the vehicle at the bottom of the Southern Outlet, however the driver swerved and continued on through the CBD.
The incident escalated when the stolen vehicle collided with another car and traffic lights at the intersection of Molle Street and Goulburn Street approximately an hour after the theft.
Officers apprehended the man at the scene without incident, with authorities confirming only minor damage was sustained to the struck vehicle and no injuries were reported.
The alleged offender faces a string of serious charges including motor vehicle stealing, evading police, negligent driving, aggravated burglary, stealing and breaching bail conditions.
Earlier: A man is in police custody after allegedly crashing a stolen car into a traffic light pole in central Hobart this morning.
Tasmania Police confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen from Kingston around 9:30am on Thursday.
The stolen car then struck another vehicle and traffic lights near the Molle Street and Goulburn Street intersection, police said.
The driver fled on foot, Pulse understands, prompting a large-scale police operation.
Witnesses said at least a dozen undercover police cars with sirens raced through Harrington Street, swerving through traffic towards the Best Western hotel.
Officers were also seen running on foot, witnesses said, with two fire trucks and additional police responding across the area down to Elizabeth Street.
Pulse understands spike strips were unsuccessfully deployed on the Southern Outlet near the South Hobart intersection as part of the operation.
Tasmania Police confirmed the man was taken into custody a short time later.
“Police are currently in the Molle Street area where a man was taken into custody a short time ago,” a spokesperson said.
Police said no injuries were reported.
“The public are asked to avoid the Molle Street area until the scene is cleared,” the spokesperson said.
