Dramatic footage captures moment man allegedly points rifle at police during wild pursuit through Perth
A man has been charged following a chaotic police chase where officers were allegedly fired upon with a rifle, with dramatic footage capturing the moment he allegedly pointed it at a police helicopter.
WA News
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A man has been charged following an alleged chaotic chase through Perth’s semirural southeast suburbs, where he allegedly fired upon officers with a rifle.
Wild footage captured the moment the man, 36, allegedly turned the rifle on a police helicopter filming the pursuit, which began shortly after 1pm on Thursday when officers spotted an allegedly stolen Mazda BT-50 utility on the Albany Hwy at Kelmscott.
Police gave chase after the vehicle failed to stop, with the driver allegedly firing a long arm firearm at police from the window of the ute on at least three occasions.
It is further alleged the driver was seen moving the firearm while driving on the South Western Hwy before firing a round through the rear windscreen at pursuing police.
He then abandons the vehicle on Hines Rd at North Dandalup before allegedly pointing the long gun at the Police Air Wing aircraft and stealing an Izuzu truck.
In the footage, police can be seen forcing the vehicle off the road.
Tactical Response officers then swooped in and arrested the 36-year-old driver.
The man was to Royal Perth Hospital where he received medical treatment for minor injuries.
He has been charged with 17 driving and firearms-related offences, including being armed in a way that may cause fear, reckless driving to escape pursuit by police and attempt to strike any person with a projectile with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or prevent arrest.
The man fronted Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday.
WA Police Commander Gordon Fairman reportedly said the footage gave the public “a front-row seat to a critical incident”, with investigations by police still ongoing.
“It’s one of the most dynamic and critical incidents that I have seen and the quality of the footage is outstanding,” Mr Fairman told the media on Friday.
Originally published as Dramatic footage captures moment man allegedly points rifle at police during wild pursuit through Perth
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