Charges over brazen petrol station robbery

A 21-year-old man has been charged over the assault and robbery of a Perth mother who was attacked while she was getting petrol.

Police say the man stole her backpack after brazenly opening the driver's door while she was just centimetres away at the Parkwood petrol station earlier this month.

She tried to stop him by kicking him and was punched at least twice, causing her to fall to the ground as he ran back to a stolen car before being driven away by an accomplice.

The victim said she was grateful she didn't have her 15-month old son in the car as she normally would.

The man has been charged with offences including stealing a motor vehicle, aggravated robbery and criminal damage.