A man driving a vehicle bearing cloned plates was arrested in Balwyn North this morning after being tracked down by police dog Zeus.
Police were patrolling Frank Street when they observed the station-wagon allegedly take off at speed around 4am.
The station-wagon was followed through a number of streets before the vehicle was located abandoned on Wild-Life Parade around 4.05am.
The Dog Squad was called to assist local units in locating the driver, who had allegedly fled on-foot.
Police dog Zeus and his handler searched the area and found a man hiding in a front yard of a home in Wild-Life Parade around 4.30am.
The 40-year-old Kangaroo Flat man was arrested at the scene.
Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit members have charged the man with theft from motor vehicle, going equipped to steal, possessing proceeds of crime, possess drug of dependence, unlicensed driving and an unrelated theft of motor car.
He was presented direct to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today this afternoon.
