This is the moment police put a spoke in the wheel of a road racer’s terrifying high-speed chase through highway traffic.

The thermal imaging footage – shot from a police helicopter near Detroit, Michigan State, USA – shows the Dodge Charger trying to lose a patrol car.

As it weaves through slower-moving traffic, the Charger accelerates rapidly as it tries to outrun its police pursuers.

Police suspected that the car – which had no licence plate – had been used in illegal drag racing.

Witnesses had seen it crash red lights in what appeared to be an unlawful road race.

Top-of-range Chargers use a 6.2-litre supercharged engine with a top speed of 203mph and can go from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Footage of the drama on Sunday, 8th January, shows how police stopped the Dodge with a stinger tyre shredder forcing the driver and two passengers to flee on foot.

Sparks can be seen as the tyres fall away, leaving the car to run on just its rims.

The footage goes on to show two of the suspects being arrested by police. The Michigan State Police confirmed in a statement on Monday, 9th January, that the footage shows the “suspects fleeing police” and “the arrest of the suspects”.

The driver can be seen being seized before a second suspect is found hiding inside a giant dumpster.

The suspects were reportedly taken to the Detroit Detention Center pending a review from prosecutors.