UPDATE: A tense police chase through Perth’s southern suburbs culminated in a dramatic arrest inside a supermarket on September 28, 2023, at approximately 4:20 PM. An identified 30-year-old Armadale man now faces multiple serious charges, including weapons and drug offenses, as authorities confirm the chaotic events.
The chase began just after midday when the suspect was spotted driving a black Audi 8K erratically on Leach Highway in Melville. Upon noticing police attempting to pull him over in a parking lot on Norma Road, he fled the scene, prompting a high-stakes pursuit.
Authorities reported that the suspect displayed reckless driving behavior, including mounting sidewalks and veering onto the wrong side of the road. A spokesperson for WA Police stated, “The evade incident was terminated by police due to community safety concerns.”
However, the Audi was tracked by the Police Air Wing to a shopping center on Davy Street in Booragoon, where the suspect allegedly abandoned the vehicle. He reportedly discarded a duffel bag in a nearby unit complex before attempting to escape on foot.
A police search of the bag revealed shocking contents: a sawn-off rifle, ammunition, a homemade Taser, and a pocket knife. This discovery heightened the urgency of the situation, leading officers to intensify their search for the suspect.
Just hours later, police apprehended the man inside a supermarket on South Street in Kardinya. He was found in possession of a knife and methamphetamine and reportedly resisted arrest, forcing officers to subdue him in the aisles.
The man now faces a litany of charges, including:
– Carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon
– Reckless driving to escape police pursuit
– Unlawfully possessing a firearm
– Possessing ammunition without authorization
– Methamphetamine possession
– Obstructing public officers
– Carrying or possessing an edged weapon
Following his arrest, the man appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court where he was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to reappear before the same court on September 29, 2023.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the potential for violence associated with illegal weapons. As the community processes this alarming event, authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the suspect’s actions and their implications for public safety.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
