Shepparton police Sergeant Mark Phillips said the divisional van was rammed after police were called to an alleged shoplifting incident at Coles supermarket at Riverside Plaza on Tuesday night.
Police pulled up behind a maroon Toyota Lexcen in the car park at the shopping complex, but before police could get out of their van, the Lexcen was allegedly driven backwards into the side of the police vehicle, Sgt Phillips said.
The man driving the Lexcen — which did not have number plates attached — then drove off, hitting another car as he exited the car park.
The police van was left with extensive damage to the door.
Despite a search of nearby streets, the car and its driver could not be found at the time.
On Wednesday, an off-duty police officer spotted the driver inside JB Hi-Fi about 11am.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Peter Warden said when the off-duty officer went outside to phone police, the man and a woman allegedly attempted to steal a mobile phone from a display inside the store.
Police converged on the store, arresting a 31-year-old Shepparton man and a 28-year-old Shepparton woman.
A Lexcen, believed to be the one involved in the alleged ramming, was also seized from the JB Hi-Fi car park and will undergo a forensic examination by police.
The pair were still being interviewed and no charges had been laid when police spoke to the News.
Sgt Warden said both were believed to have been involved in the alleged theft at Coles and JB Hi-Fi, but only the man was in the car at the time of the alleged ramming.
Police are calling for anyone who saw the incident in the car park at Riverside Plaza to contact Shepparton Police Station on 5820 5777 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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