Officer hurt in pursuit of alleged drug dealer

Derby police embarked on a dramatic chase through the outback in pursuit of an alleged drug dealer last month, with one officer hurt in the process.

Detective Sergeant Neil Vanderplank said police had been on the look-out for the suspect, believed to have been operating between Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and other remote communities.

The drama unfolded when police found the man in Meekatharra on March 12 and tried to stop him.

The man allegedly drove off and dragged one of the police officers down the road in the process. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Police pursued the suspect, but were forced to abort when the man escaped down a dirt track.

A few days later, police received information he was hiding out in Derby and found him driving around some back streets.

Det. Sgt Vanderplank said police pursued the suspect for 40 minutes before he disappeared.

The next day, officers received information the man was hiding out at a remote community outside of Derby and co-ordinated a response with police from Looma and Fitzroy Crossing.

A cattle station’s helicopter was also deployed to assist police as they hunted for the suspect through the bush and dirt tracks before he was finally found about two hours later.

After a 20-minute pursuit, the man allegedly rammed a police vehicle and flipped his car.

He was immediately taken into custody and appeared in court on multiple charges including failure to stop, reckless driving, assaulting a public officer and drug-related charges.

A search of the vehicle found 4.5g of amphetamine and $4000 cash.

Det. Sgt Vanderplank said the pursuit of the suspect was a “pretty dynamic situation” and could not have happened without the community’s help.

He said the incident sent a very clear message to offenders.

“You can run, but you can’t hide.”

The man will reappear in court on May 27.