An unauthorised broadcaster interfered in a police chase in Victoria last Tuesday, forcing the officers concerned to call off their chase of two men suspected of being involved in an armed robbery.
The detectives from East Gippsland were investigating an incident in Sale. The pirate broadcaster is believed to be operating from the East Gippsland area, a police notice said.
The broadcaster impersonated a police officer during the chase which began after an alleged attempt at robbery in a shop in Sale, according to a report in the Brisbane Times.
The man who reportedly carried out the robbery fled in a car along with a woman and the police gave chase.
{loadposition sam08}"Throughout the incident there were a number of disruptions during the radio transmissions which are being investigated," Victoria Police spokeswoman Lauren Kells told the website.
The Victorian Government said the incident highlighted the need for a more up-to-date radio transmission system.
Victoria Police Minister Lisa Neville said Telstra had been given the job of installing base networks for a digital radio system.
This would be used by regional police, the Country Fire Authority and Lifesaving Victoria.
The system, costing $12 million, is expected to be up and running by mid-2018.