Alleged sex attacker rams Vic police car

SYDNEY (AAP) - A man wanted over the sexual assault of a woman and several armed robberies in Melbourne rammed a police car to escape arrest, police say.
Thomas Weldon, 18, of Fitzroy, is believed to be responsible for seven armed robberies since March and an attack on a woman in inner city Melbourne on Wednesday night.
He allegedly threatened the woman with a knife before assaulting her and forcing her into his car on Leicester Street in Carlton about 10pm (AEST).
He drove her to another location where he is alleged to have sexually assaulted her.
He then drove her to an ATM and forced her to withdraw money before dropping her off at a nearby convenience store.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Weldon had been identified through security footage.
Police spotted Weldon's car at Nicholson Street in Abbotsford at 1am on Friday and began setting up a cordon around his vehicle in preparation to make an arrest.
"(Weldon has) come out, he's seen them, he's rammed the police vehicle and made an escape," the spokeswoman said.
No police officers were hurt, she said.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate Weldon.
He was driving a fawn-coloured Mitsubishi Magna sedan, registration number OUO810.
Anyone who sees Weldon should not approach him, but call triple-0.