Meekatharra, Cue and Mount Magnet Police attempt to stop stolen vehicle accused of driving at police twice

Police were allegedly deliberately driven at twice during a car chase that began in Mount Magnet and ended in Meekatharra after the driver of a stolen vehicle crashed and fled the scene. Meekatharra police Inspector Glenn Moore said a vehicle was stolen from a location in Perth and was detected coming through Mount Magnet on Tuesday, February 14 about 11am after it was involved in an alleged fuel drive-off at the Swagman Roadhouse on Hepburn Street. Meekatharra OIC Acting Senior Sergeant Dan Major said police were able to maintain eyes on the vehicle direction through the help of truck drivers travelling along Great Northern Highway on channel 40. “A vehicle intercept was conducted by Meekatharra police approximately 40km south of Meekatharra at 12pm (when the vehicle drove at) speeds in excess of 150km/h. Police lost sight of the vehicle as it entered the Meekatharra townsite at about 12.19pm,” he said. Sen Sgt Major said Cue police sighted the vehicle in Meekatharra about 1pm and attempted to stop it but the vehicle fled police. He said the vehicle was reported to police after a second alleged fuel drive-off at the Meekatharra Shell Coles Express Roadhouse at 7.45pm. Sen Sgt Major said police would allege that about 9.25pm, the stolen vehicle “deliberately drove” at Meekatharra police who signalled the vehicle to stop but failed to do so. “No attempt was made to intercept the vehicle,” he said. “At about 9.55pm, Meekatharra police sighted the vehicle on Consols Road. As police approached, it will be alleged the driver drove at police, forcing police to take evasive action to avoid a collision. “Police activated lights and sirens and the vehicle failed to stop. Police followed the vehicle for several minutes before a tyre deflation device was deployed. The vehicle lost a tyre a short time later, however, continued for several more kilometres.” Sen Sgt Major said a short time later, the driver lost control at a tight bend at Campbell Rd and Douglas St, Meekatharra, hitting a guard rail and sliding to a stop into a chain link fence. All occupants fled on foot. “Police arrested one suspect, with an area search for the other occupants being unsuccessful,” he said. WA Police recovered the vehicle and are awaiting forensic examination results. A 21-year-old Meekatharra man was charged with stealing a motor vehicle, endangering life and disorderly behaviour in a police station. He is due to appear in Meekatharra Magistrates Court on March 22.