A 32-year-old Hamilton Hill man is facing a string of serious charges following a dramatic police pursuit that tore through several Perth suburbs on Saturday afternoon, culminating in a crash into a parked vehicle in Cottesloe.
Chaotic Pursuit Through Suburban Streets
The incident began around 12:20 pm on Saturday when the man allegedly entered a residence on Graham Street in Spearwood and stole a white Toyota Landcruiser station sedan. The situation escalated approximately two hours later, at 2:40 pm, when police spotted the vehicle on Cockburn Road near Rockingham Road.
Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and instead accelerated away. Police will allege the man then embarked on a reckless drive through the suburbs surrounding Hamilton Hill, Coogee, and Claremont.
During the pursuit, the man is accused of driving at excessive speeds, travelling on the incorrect side of the road, and running red lights, putting other road users at significant risk.
Crash and Arrest on Station Street
The chaotic chase came to an abrupt end a short time later when the allegedly stolen Landcruiser smashed into a parked vehicle on Station Street in Cottesloe. The collision caused extensive damage to both cars.
Following the crash, the driver fled the scene on foot. However, his freedom was short-lived. With the assistance of members of the public, police officers managed to locate and apprehend the man around 3:30 pm.
It will be further alleged that the man assaulted a police officer during the attempt to arrest him.
A Long List of Charges
The 32-year-old Hamilton Hill man has been hit with a multitude of charges, reflecting the severity of the alleged offences. These include:
- Two counts of reckless driving to escape police pursuit
- Two counts of failing to comply
- Assaulting a police officer
- Failing to stop
- Having no authority to drive
- Aggravated home burglary
- Stealing a motor vehicle
The accused was scheduled to make his first appearance in Perth Magistrates’ Court on Sunday to answer to the charges.
