Rapid apprehension squad detectives find man accused of dumping gun ‘hiding’ in car boot with wig

The police hunt for a man accused of dumping a sawn-off shotgun in the centre of Rockingham during a pursuit came to a bizarre end when he was allegedly found hiding in a car boot with a blonde wig and wearing female clothing. It is alleged the 26-year-old man sparked police attention about 3pm on Wednesday when he was behind the wheel of a black Toyota RAV4 with false number plates being driven on Calume Street in Hillman. Police say they activated their emergency lights and sirens and tried to stop the car, but he refused, instead sparking a pursuit though Hillman and Rockingham. Officers tracked the car to the underground car park at the Rockingham Shopping Centre on Council Avenue, where it is alleged the accused man abandoned the RAV4 and transitioned to a second car. That meant he was able to leave the area undetected. But it is alleged he tried to conceal a “package” in the area — which was later identified as a sawn-off shotgun. Detectives from the rapid apprehension squad, acting on intelligence and with the help of the police airwing, determined the suspect was at an address in Hillman. About 3.45pm — just 45 minutes after the man was first spotted — police stopped a white Holden Commodore leaving the property and found him hiding in the boot. Body-worn camera footage shows the heavy-set man being squeezed out of the boot wearing a rainbow-coloured crochet top. A blonde wig was also found in the boot with the man. It is believed he was using the items in an attempt to disguise his identity. The man, of Golden Bay, has been charged with a string of offences, including failing to stop for police, reckless driving, no authority to drive and possessing a firearm in circumstances of aggravation. He is due in Rockingham Magistrates Court on May 19. A 32-year-old Karnup woman has also been charged in relation to the investigation. She is facing charges of breaching bail, possessing drug paraphernalia and driving without authority. She is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on May 18.