A man from Western Australia's Mid West region is set to face court after a dramatic series of events that unfolded in the early hours of Christmas Day, involving a stolen vehicle, a damaged cafe, and a police pursuit.
Alleged Crime Spree on Christmas Eve and Morning
According to WA Police, the incident began on Christmas Eve with a burglary in the Perth suburb of Darch. During this burglary, a vehicle was allegedly stolen. Police allege that the same 39-year-old man then used that stolen vehicle to target a cafe in Beechboro at approximately 4:40 am on Thursday, December 25.
The man is accused of deliberately driving the stolen car into the front of the eatery, smashing through its glass doors and wall in what is commonly known as a ram-raid. The attack caused what police have described as extensive damage to the small business.
Police Witness Crime and Give Chase
In a twist of fate, the alleged offence did not go unwitnessed by law enforcement. An unmarked police vehicle that was patrolling the area reportedly saw the ram-raid occur. Officers immediately attempted to intercept the driver.
However, the driver allegedly failed to stop and instead took off, initiating a police pursuit. The chase continued through the northern suburbs before coming to an end in Noranda, where the accused driver was finally apprehended and placed under arrest.
Charges Laid and Court Date Set
The 39-year-old man, who is from Bluff Point, a coastal suburb of Geraldton, now faces a series of serious charges. Police have charged him with one count each of the following offences:
- Criminal damage
- Vehicle theft
- Reckless driving to escape pursuit by police
- Failing to comply with a direction to stop driving in aggravating circumstances
The accused was scheduled to make his first appearance before the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, December 26. The incident has left a local business with significant repair costs in the aftermath of what should have been a festive holiday period.
