High-ranking senior police officer on his way to catch a flight springs into action after he spots a vandal

RUMOUR CONFIRMED: One of Victoria’s most senior police officers on the way to the airport to catch a flight has pulled over and chased down a vandal tagging a bridge in the CBD.

The dramatic arrest was first heard on the Rumour File.

Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson told Ross and John he spotted the 22-year-old tagging the Exhibition Street extension bridge on Saturday morning, while he was off-duty.

He reversed, crossed the tram tracks, and set out on foot to catch him as he fled along Birrarung Marr.

“Oh yes, he knew I was chasing him,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Paterson managed to catch up, but the story didn’t end there.

“After a couple of minutes he decided it was worth a struggle,” he said.

“I was able to get him to the ground and pin him to the ground.”

A couple of people passing by called police.

Thinking it was all over, Assistant Commissioner Paterson returned to his car to find he had a flat tyre.

Ross: This is absolutely magnificent!

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