Geraldton detectives say woman, 22, attempted carjacking in Wandina, ended up sitting on 54-year-old driver

A woman remains behind bars accused of a bizarre attempted carjacking, which saw her allegedly sit on top of another woman in a car’s driver seat and drive a couple of hundred metres before the ambush ended.

Geraldton detectives say a 54-year-old Wandina woman was travelling alone in her vehicle on Friday, September 16, when she stopped at the intersection of Ocean Queen Drive and Derna Parade in Wandina.

About 10.40am, police say a 22-year-old woman unknown to the driver approached the idle vehicle, opened the car door and demanded the alleged victim get out.

Geraldton detectives officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Bruce McDonald said the alleged victim refused to get out of the vehicle, and the accused carjacker then attempted to pull her out of her car while yelling and screaming.

“As the victim refused to get out of her car which was still running, we allege the suspect got into the car and sat on the victim, pinning the victim to her seat,” he said.

He then alleged the 22-year-old took the steering wheel and hit the accelerator, causing the car to travel at a “considerable speed” along Derna Parade.

“We allege the vehicle travelled for over 200m, swerving down the road before the victim was able to gain control of her car and stop it,” Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said.

He said when members of the public came to the driver’s aid, the accused woman fled on foot.

Other drivers were allegedly forced to suddenly stop to avoid a collision, according to detectives.

Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said the alleged victim suffered shock, significant soreness and discomfort to her body result of the incident.

Police found the accused close to the scene, at which point she allegedly assaulted the arresting officer.

“She kicked a police officer in the chest forcing the officer to fall backwards,” Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said.

Chasleigh Karen Mitchell has been charged with attempted robbery, endangering a life, health and safety of a person and assaulting a public officer.

The 22-year-old appeared by audio link in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday, September 16, when her bail was refused. She was remanded in custody until Wednesday, September 21.

Police urged witnesses to come forward and help with their investigation.

“We believe this is an isolated and spontaneous incident — not a targeted attack — however, we urge members of the public to consider their surrounds, particularly at night. Consider locking their car doors when they are driving around and report suspicious behaviour or activity to police,” Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said.