Lexia police chase: Byford man charged after alleged 200km/h pursuit ends in fiery crash tracked by airwing

A Byford man has been charged after an alleged high-speed chase through Perth’s suburbs ended in a dramatic crash and arrest late on Friday night. Police say the chaos began about 10.45pm when an automatic number plate recognition system detected a silver Mercedes-Benz station sedan — allegedly stolen — travelling west along The Promenade near Tonkin Highway in Lexia. A Police airwing aircraft was deployed and tracked the car as it sped south down Tonkin Highway. It will be alleged the driver switched off the headlights and reached speeds of more than 200km/h as he tore through multiple suburbs. The vehicle was later spotted on Orrong Road, where police say it crossed onto the wrong side and smashed into a Toyota at the intersection of Alexander Road before slamming into a brick wall. Despite the crash, the driver allegedly fled on foot. But he didn’t get far as airwing officers kept eyes on him from above and directed ground units to his hiding spot on Surrey Road, where he was arrested a short time later. The 30-year-old driver of the Toyota did not receive any serious injuries. A 29-year-old Byford man has been charged with stealing a motor vehicle and driving recklessly, driving with forged or false licence plates, failing to stop after property damage, and possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property. He was refused bail and is expected to face Northbridge Magistrates Court on Saturday, November 8.