Rodney Kelly, 34, accused of sparking police pursuit through Geraldton suburbs with three juveniles in car

Police say a man wanted for questioning in Perth was located by officers hiding in an outback paddock following a police chase with three juveniles in the car, one of whom allegedly stole a Toyota Camry in Geraldton last week. Geraldton police allege last Thursday 34-year-old Rodney Kelly, who was wanted by Perth police for questioning over multiple offences, tried to flee police after they attempted to stop him travelling in a Holden Cruze with three juvenile passengers. Acting officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Nathan Johansen alleged Mr Kelly failed to obey police, sparking a chase through the suburbs of Spalding, Webberton, Woorree, Meru, Narngulu, Bootenal and Walkaway. Sen. Sgt Johansen said the accused man damaged his bumper and blew his right rear tyre and attempted to swerve at police on the road. “He’s drove off-road through a paddock in Meru and completely damaged his vehicle,” he said. “He’s continued to drive recklessly despite a heavily damaged vehicle and three juveniles on board.” Sen. Sgt Johansen said police cordoned off the area several times as Mr Kelly allegedly cut through paddocks before officers eventually located four people hiding in bushes off Edward Road in Walkaway. Police confirmed no officers, passengers or bystanders were injured. A 13-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl were not charged while a 16-year-old boy passenger was charged for allegedly stealing a Toyota Camry in Geraldton that was captured on CCTV during a fuel drive-off in Leeman before being dumped in a Perth suburb. He was bailed on charges of stealing a motor vehicle and no authority to drive. Mr Kelly appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday on numerous charges including no authority to drive, fail to comply with a direction to stop in circumstances of aggravation, reckless driving to escape pursuit from police, stealing and two counts of breaching a family violence order. He was wanted in Perth for four counts of stealing, breaching family violence restraining order, deprivation of liberty and aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm. Mr Kelly was remanded in custody until Thursday, March 2.