Carlton coach interrupts coffee run to stop alleged car thief
AFL players and coaches might have a week off for the pre-finals bye, but there was no rest for Carlton coach Michael Voss on Tuesday morning.
Staff at Barton Milk Bar in Hawthorn confirmed that Voss was getting coffee when he bolted out to chase after a teenager in an allegedly stolen car that had flipped.
Carlton coach Michael Voss chats to police.Credit: Nine
Voss, a Brownlow medallist known in his playing days with the Brisbane Lions as a hardened midfielder with an unflinching attack on the ball, reportedly tackled the teen and held him until police arrived.
The cafe confirmed Voss, a regular, then went back to get his coffee.
Police confirmed they arrested a 16-year-old Mooroopna boy after he tried to flee from an allegedly stolen Mercedes-Benz.
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In a statement, they said officers were told the Mercedes lost control and rolled before it landed on its side on a footpath on Barton Street just before 9am on Tuesday.
“The two occupants ran from the scene, however one teen was detained by a member of the public,” police said.
“Police continue to search for the second male offender, who is described as having a fair complexion, long blonde hair and wearing a black cap, black and white scarf, black hoodie and black pants.”
Voss briefly spoke to Nine television at the scene, saying it was
“It was a little bit of action, I was sort of hoping to be on a couple of days’ break, but it’s all good,” he said.
He said he had spoken to police, but wouldn’t confirm any specific details about the incident or his involvement.
Charli Linke, 20, a staff member at Barton Milk Bar, working when the car flipped outside the cafe.
She said she hadn’t heard the car coming.
“It was just when it flipped over when everyone sort of rushed outside,” she told this masthead, adding that the car had flipped right near a children’s crossing but “thankfully, no one was walking there”.
As Linke called the police, her boss, owner James Laskie, also tried to chase the alleged thieves.
Linke estimated the chase lasted 100 metres or more, so she wasn’t able to see Voss’ tackle, and it was 20 or 30 minutes before they returned to the cafe.
“It got a bit hectic here,” she said, as staff tried to keep up with their regular work and the attention from those interested in the incident.
“It’s been crazy, so many of the residents coming around to have a peek and getting a coffee.”
A Carlton spokesman said Voss had not been injured.
“We can confirm he is completely fine, unharmed, and provided a full statement to police, given he witnessed the incident,” the spokesman said.
“Vossy is OK with it all. No harm done on his part.”
Another onlooker, who contacted 3AW’s Jacqui Felgate, said they wanted to give Voss “a huge shout-out” for his efforts on Tuesday morning.
“While he was waiting for his coffee at our local cafe in Hawthorn, a stolen car flipped onto the footpath just outside the cafe,” the onlooker said in comments published on Felgate’s Instagram account.
“Two guys got out of the car and fled the scene. Without hesitation, Vossy ran after them and performed a citizen’s arrest.”
The witness, who described themselves as a “mad Bulldogs fan”, said the Blues would have a new supporter when they played their elimination final against the Brisbane Lions next Saturday.
“Blues fans, what a fearless leader you have!”
Voss’ heroics drew comparisons with the actions of another AFL luminary, the late Ron Barassi, also a former Carlton coach.
Barassi received an Australian Bravery Award for his efforts to chase and tackle an offender in St Kilda on New Year’s Day 2009. Barassi was aged in his 70s at the time.
Anyone who witnessed Tuesday’s incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage, are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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