On Tuesday 10 December, Bunbury Detectives received reports of a High Harm Offender lurking near the Brunswick Caravan Park.
With dense bushland and limited visibility, officers knew a standard ground search wouldn’t cut it – so they launched a drone to get a clearer view.
The decision paid off almost instantly.
Within moments, the drone operator had eyes on the offender, allowing detectives to set a cordon.
The man bolted, slipping past the perimeter and sprinting toward a nearby vehicle, sparking a fail-to-stop incident.
Lights activated, sirens on – the chase was on.
The pursuit carried across local roads before the offender dumped the vehicle and made a second dash on foot.
What followed was a blend of determination, agility and sheer persistence as he scrambled across a creek on a narrow pipeline and attempted to maintain his lead.
His luck ran out when he mistimed a fence jump, giving detectives the opening they needed for the arrest.
Detective Senior Constable Jon Arlow said the operation came together because each officer played their role with precision.
“From the drone operator to the team on the ground, everyone was exactly where they needed to be,” Det S/C Arlow said.
“When we operate like that, offenders don’t get far.”
The offender was taken into custody safely, with no injuries to officers, the public or himself – a testament to disciplined, coordinated policing.
