UPDATE: FIVE teenagers nabbed in a dramatic police intercept in Melbourne’s CBD have been charged.

Four of the boys, whose ages range between 14 and 17, were remanded in custody and will appear before a Children’s Court later today.

The fifth was bailed.

They face a range of charges including theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle and reckless conduct endangering life.

One is charged with armed robbery.

It comes after police yesterday used batons to smash their way into the group’s allegedly stolen Audi SUV and deployed pepper spray after the luxury vehicle smashed into a police car at the intersection of Kingsway and Flinders St yesterday about 1.10pm.

The silver SUV repeatedly tried to ram police and a delivery van behind in a desperate bid to escape.

Several unmarked police cars and the police helicopter had been following the car after it was sighted in Epping about noon.

But police stressed a pursuit wasn’t initiated.

Insignia on Flinders duty manager Michael Rayner, who watched the drama unfold from the nearby pub, said as many as a dozen officers swarmed the Audi and hauled the occupants away.

They were quickly dragged to the ground and handcuffed.

One fled along King St, officers and civilians in pursuit.

“It was pretty dramatic — it all happened so fast,’’ Mr Rayner said.

“There was just glass everywhere.

“Even when the police were hitting the car they were trying to get away. They were desperate.

“They were heavily resisting. I think they got a few hits into the officers.

“The cops got them down to the ground pretty hard and fast though.”

Witnesses said the Audi — travelling citybound on Flinders St — was stopped outside the Waterside Hotel when a police highway patrol car boxed it in from the front right.

A police Ford Territory blocked its path in front, the Audi slamming into it.

“The Audi was flying. All of a sudden another car came across and bang — intercepted him. It was like a movie. We really thought it was,’’ tradie Bill Theoharis, who had just knocked off for lunch when he saw the incident, said.

“It happened so quick.

“All of these cars screamed in from left, right and centre. Then they started bashing their windows.”

Mate Liam McIntyre said: “It was full on. I have never seen so many cops rock up out of nowhere.”

Police said the Audi, which police had followed along the Western Ring Rd and into the CBD, was wanted over an “ongoing investigation”.

Detective Sgt Andrew Lawrence told reporters the men were wanted over armed robberies in the northwest metropolitan area.

Police took the opportunity to take them into custody when their car became caught at the intersection, he said.

The men were in custody and expected to be interviewed last night.

Police had not released their ages.

Investigations continue.

Anyone with information to urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

wes.hosking@news.com.au