A 31-year-old Northam man has appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court after he allegedly attacked a taxi driver and stole his vehicle on Tuesday, December 12.
The Northam man is scheduled to reappear in the Perth Courthouse this Friday, December 22, on 11 charges, including robbery, burglary and commit and driving recklessly.
The incident happened in Belmont on Tuesday, December 12.
The 35-year-old taxi driver was waiting for a customer outside Belmont Forum about 4pm when he got out of his car to speak to another driver.
Channel 9 News Perth reporter Hannah Sinclair said the taxi driver was approached by a man "dressed in all black", who then punched him and shoved him over.
"He got inside the cab, ran over the taxi driver's foot and fled the scene," she reported.
Witnesses said the incident happened so quickly, the attacker had already taken off in the taxi before anyone could help the injured driver.
About 15 minutes later, police saw the taxi travelling west on Great Eastern Highway, Rivervale.
Police will allege they attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver failed to stop and accelerated away.
It sparked an hour-long police chase throughout the Perth area, and officers followed the vehicle through Cloverdale, Burswood, East Perth, Mount Lawley, Maylands, Bayswater, Guildford, Kiara, Lockridge and West Midland.
Police used tyre spikes to eventually stop the car in Hazelmere, and the driver was arrested.
The Northam man did not enter a plea when he appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on December 13.
If you see any suspicious behaviour or were a witness to this incident, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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