A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a police pursuit through Broome forced the local high school into lockdown and reportedly left pedestrians leaping to safety.
Police allege the teen was driving a stolen four-wheel drive vehicle during the car chase on Monday.
The car chase came to an end when police rammed the vehicle at the popular tourist destination Streeter's Jetty just before midday.
The police pursuit started after a member of the public reported seeing a car being driven dangerously, Kimberley Police Superintendent Craig Parkin said.
"So we located that vehicle driving around, tried to stop it and obviously that vehicle failed to stop," he said.
The alleged driver of the vehicle led police through the fairways of the local golf club and through part of the high school, Superintendent Parkin said.
"At this time the high school was locked down, which didn't place any immediate risk … to anyone at the school," he said.
The alleged driver of the vehicle then took to the footpath in Broome's main shopping strip, according to Superintendent Parkin.
"The vehicle drove on a footpath in Chinatown and then police managed to resolve that incident in Chinatown, [and] arrested the male without incident," he said.
Witnesses see car on footpath
Local cafe worker Georgia Menzel said she saw people jumping out of the way as the alleged driver of the stolen car took to the footpath.
"It was a very close call with many people," she said.
Another witness, Tammy Sutcliffe, said she was sitting at a cafe with colleagues when the vehicle sped through the busy shopping strip.
"We saw two police cars coming towards the roundabout and a car in front of them and that car turned right over the roundabout and then started driving down the footpath," she said.
"It was coffee time so … everyone on the balcony stood up and we were all standing there watching.
"I mean it was a bit like a movie really."
School thanks students, teachers
After the pursuit ended, Broome Senior High School sent a letter to parents thanking students and staff for their reaction to the incident.
"As you are probably aware there has been a police incident in town today, which impacted our school," the letter said.
"I would like to show my appreciation for the cooperation of staff and students during the incident. I am very happy to report that everyone is safe."
Police have asked the public to submit any footage they may have of the incident to help with their investigation.
