Police ram stolen car to prevent risk to public

Police have rammed a stolen car and arrested five boys who allegedly committed robberies and cigarette burglaries across Melbourne while armed with machetes.

Officers spotted the BMW sedan in Boronia about 10.25pm on Tuesday and assisted by the air wing tracked the vehicle as it drove erratically and dangerously through the city's CBD and eastern suburbs.

Police said the car was seen travelling at more than 190km/h on the East Link and posed a significant risk to the public.

Officers brought the BMW to a stop by ramming it on Wellington Parade, East Melbourne about 11.20pm on Tuesday to prevent further serious risk to the community.

Five boys were arrested and taken into custody and are assisting police with their inquiries.

One of the boys sustained minor injuries.

"It's alleged the males armed with machetes committed numerous armed robberies and cigarette burglaries across the southern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne yesterday afternoon and Monday night," police said in a statement on Wednesday.