POLICE have released an image of a man they want to talk to about a stolen car that rammed a police van on Wednesday, 23 May.

Last week the Gazette reported that an elderly couple were too scared to go to sleep after a stolen ute was dumped in their driveway and thieves fled through their back yard, jumping the fence with police in pursuit.

Police say the orange 1990 Ford ute, stolen from Goulburn Drive, Rowville, was involved in two burglaries in Dingley Village and Seaford before being driven to Pakenham.

Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer said the driver was asked to pull over on the Princes Highway for a routine vehicle check.

The stolen utility was driven down the wrong side of the highway and turned right into McGregor Road.

Police followed it into the Pakenham Place shopping centre carpark where the utility reversed into the front of the police van.

The thieves then dumped the car in the elderly couple’s driveway in Henry Street before fleeing through their back yard.

Police have released the image of a man they hope will help them with their investigations. He is caucasian, about 25 years old, 6ft tall and of a solid build between 85 and 90kg. He has short, nearly shaved ginger hair.

Police believe a number of people witnessed the incident in the Main Street area. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.