By Alexander Darling,Rachael Dexter

Copyright theage

“I’ve never seen so many police cars in my life,” caller Craig told the station.

Another caller, Martin, described four youths jumping out of a BMW SUV with machetes and running from police into the Myer department store.

The incident – occurring during the busy school holiday period – has caused travel disruptions, with route 86 and 96 trams suspended along Bourke Street.

After spotting the vehicle in Doncaster, police say they followed it into the CBD, where a pedestrian was struck on Exhibition Street.