ACT Policing is ridiculed over video of three-hour car chase of Mercedes crawling through Canberra: ‘How many cop cars does it take?’

An Australian police force has come under fire during a prolonged three-hour car chase after nearly a dozen police cars were filmed struggling to stop a silver Mercedes that was creeping through the city.

Footage posted online shows around 11 ACT police cars flashing their sirens as they followed the vehicle through Canberra’s CBD on the evening of September 2.

The Mercedes – fitted with studded tires – limped through the city as police vehicles followed.

But despite the heavy police presence, police apparently struggled to arrest the driver, who reportedly managed to lead the chase through several suburbs.

At one point, a police vehicle traveling alongside the Mercedes appeared to try to cut her off by swerving in front of her – but failed to pass her in time.

The Mercedes managed to slip through and continue to crawl down the road while the police car veering in front of it blocked the path of other patrol units.

Meanwhile, other police officers set up a roadblock at the end of the street by parking their cars sideways along the traffic lanes.

However, once again the ACT Police show of force was no match for the driver of the Mercedes, who drove around them by turning left onto a side street.

The clip ends by showing the Mercedes crossing to the opposite side of a median strip and heading head-on into the oncoming lane of traffic as several police units continue to follow it at a distance.

The video sparked ridicule online as social media users dubbed the saga “Australia’s slowest police chase”, with many perplexed as to why ACT Police struggled to stop the Mercedes and outraged at how much the chase may have cost taxpayers.

One person asked rhetorically, “Who pays for the cars, fuel and salaries?” » while another added sarcastically: “public money well spent”.

Despite the strong police presence and the slowness of the Mercedes, the police had difficulty stopping the vehicle.

“How many police cars does it take to stop a stalled car going 20 km/h? » wrote a second person.

“All the ACT police officers in one video,” added another.

“I swear I lost brain cells from this stupidity,” someone else chimed in. “These guys are paid to defuse scenarios. It seems to me that they are extending it.

However, others have jokingly speculated that the situation is more complex than it seems.

“It’s good to see they’re finally cracking down on slow drivers here in Canberra. It’s really a burden on our roads,” one person joked.

Someone else said: “They must be filming the new Fast and Furious.”

“I thought it was slow motion,” commented a third.

An ACT Police spokesperson said police arrested and charged a 23-year-old woman who they believe was the driver.

The spokeswoman said police allege she led police on a chase which passed through several suburbs throughout Saturday September 2 before being arrested in the early hours of the following morning.

“Throughout the day, the woman (allegedly) displayed several examples of atrocious conduct. An example of what a person will do to put themselves and other road users in danger.

“Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of police actions and this woman was ultimately arrested and charged.

“Arresting an offender in a vehicle is not like in the movies. Our number one concern will always be public safety – and we always aim to ensure that no one involved in this case comes to harm.

Police allege the vehicle was stolen from a residence in Macquarie between 8pm on Friday September 1 and 9am on Saturday September 2.

The woman was charged with nine offenses including breaching bail conditions, dangerous driving, driving a stolen motor vehicle, refusing to take a drug test, failing to stop for police, failing to s stopping at a red light, illegal possession of stolen property and damaging a vehicle. police vehicle.

His case remains before the courts.