Karratha Detectives have arrested a man in relation to an incident at a service station in Karratha yesterday morning, Sunday 6 May 2018.
Around 9am, the driver of a Prime Mover heading towards Karratha was flagged down by a man and a woman on the North West Coastal Highway approximately 10kms north of the Pannawonica turn off. The couple told the driver their vehicle had run out of fuel and he agreed to give them a lift to the next service station.
During the journey the man started to act erratically and as the driver attempted to pull over at a road house, it is alleged the man grabbed the steering wheel and verbally threatened the driver. The journey continued and as the Prime Mover arrived at the service station located on Madigan Road in Karratha, the man allegedly attempted to push the driver out of the truck, and take control of the vehicle by pressing on the accelerator and turning the ignition.
The man and woman got out of the truck at the service station and the man continued to become more aggressive and agitated. It is alleged he threw rocks at the service station building which damaged two glass panels before he threw a fuel pump onto the ground and using a cigarette lighter, lit the tip of the hose causing a small fire. Staff and members of the public were able to extinguish the fire.
A 32 year old man of Millars Well has been charged with:
- Two counts of Criminal Damage; and
- One count of With Intent to Harm, Omitted to do any Act that it was the Person’s Duty to do or did any Act as a result of which the Life, Health or Safety of any Person was or was Likely to be Endangered.
He is due to appear before the Karratha Magistrates Court today, 7 May 2018.
Inquiries are continuing and police would like to speak with anyone who was at the service station at the time of the incident, or anyone who has any information that may assist police, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au