A fly-in, fly-out worker has faced a Perth court, accused of a violent daylight carjacking that left an elderly woman terrified on a busy metropolitan road.
Alleged Attack on Leach Highway
Patrick William Neylan, a 28-year-old FIFO worker, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday. He is charged with a series of offences stemming from an alleged incident on Monday, April 21. The prosecution alleges Neylan targeted a 74-year-old woman as she was driving along Leach Highway in Kewdale.
According to police, the accused man approached the woman's vehicle and attempted to open the driver's door. When that failed, he is alleged to have reached through the open window and assaulted the woman. The confrontation escalated, with the accused allegedly punching the elderly driver in the face before forcibly removing her from the car.
Police Pursuit and Arrest
After allegedly stealing the vehicle, Neylan is said to have driven away from the scene. Police were alerted and soon located the stolen car. A pursuit was initiated, but it was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.
The vehicle was tracked to a home on Cohn Street in Carlisle later that same day. Officers from the Cannington police station attended the address and took Neylan into custody. He now faces serious charges including aggravated armed robbery and deprivation of liberty.
Court Appearance and Bail Opposition
During his court appearance, the prosecution strongly opposed bail. The court heard that Neylan, who works on a fly-in, fly-out roster, had only recently returned to Perth from a mining site. The magistrate was told the alleged offences were of a serious and violent nature, involving a vulnerable elderly victim.
Neylan was not required to enter a plea during this initial hearing. The case has been adjourned, and he is scheduled to appear in court again at a later date. The 74-year-old victim was reportedly shaken but did not require hospitalisation for her injuries.
Community Concern Over Violent Crime
This alleged carjacking has raised concerns about violent crime targeting elderly residents in Perth. The brazen nature of the attack, occurring on a major road in the middle of the day, has shocked the local community.
Police continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The case highlights ongoing efforts by Western Australian authorities to address serious assaults and robberies in the metropolitan area.
