Mum allegedly threatened with an axe at Perth shopping centre as she packed groceries in her car

A man has been charged after he allegedly threatened a mother with an axe and stole her white Holden Commodore in a Perth car park.

The 53-year-old accused arrived at Rockingham Shopping Centre about 5.20pm yesterday, when he allegedly approached the woman in her 30s who was unloading her shopping and had her baby with her.

Police said the woman was not physically injured.

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The man was allegedly spotted driving recklessly and failed to stop at the direction of police on Thomas Road at 1.30am today.

Police said officers chased the car before spikes were deployed and the vehicle came to a stop on the Kwinana Freeway in Bertram. 

The man was taken into custody and has since been charged with one count of aggravated armed robbery, one count of unlawful act or omission with intent to harm, one count of no authority to drive, one count of reckless driving and one count of failing to comply with a direction to stop.

A 50-year-old woman, who it will be alleged drove the man to Rockingham Shopping Centre and assisted him in stealing the vehicle, has also been charged with one count of aggravated armed robbery.

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She was stopped by police in a separate vehicle a short distance away from the shopping centre yesterday and taken into custody.

Two police vehicles were damaged during the alleged attempt to evade police. No officers were injured.

The 53-year-old man and 50-year-old woman will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today.

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