Youth facing car chase charges

A 16-year-old Strathalbyn youth is facing multiple charges over an alleged car chase in Geraldton early this morning.

Geraldton police were carrying out patrols in Spalding when they observed a blue Toyota Corolla travelling in an easterly direction along Mitchell Street.

Police made a U-turn to follow the driver before he allegedly accelerated away, turning onto a grassed area.

It is then alleged that police pursued the driver through several streets in the Geraldton area, until he lost control of the vehicle on Moorings Loop, Sunset Beach.

Police allege the vehicle then mounted a curb before colliding heavily with a fence - and that the driver got out of the vehicle and fled.

Officers lost sight of the driver and deployed police dog Bucky, who allegedly located a youth running south on a beach near the Bosley Street car park in Sunset Beach.

Police allege the youth failed to stop when told by the dog’s handler.

Bucky was then released and stopped the youth, biting him on the hamstring.

A 16-year-old youth has been charged with failing to stop, reckless driving, driving without a licence and failing to comply with a direct stop.

He is expected to appear before the Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday, March 29.

A 16-year-old-girl, who police say was a passenger in the vehicle, was released without charge.