A Margaret River man, hailed as a hero on social media for his role in the apprehension of Andrew Christopher Sykes, told The Mail he felt compelled to act as the situation escalated.
Ryan Nielsen followed Sykes through town before blocking his car on Carters Road, ending the erratic joyride.
“The only reason it may seem heroic is because people had been anxious about the situation for way too long and receiving texts about school shutdowns, otherwise I’m pretty sure they would have called me a Class A idiot for interfering,” he said.
Mr Nielsen said he didn’t understand how Sykes could escape custody, and then put lives in danger for so long.
“The police in Margaret River definitely need the training and equipment to deal with situations like this in a more timely fashion,” he said.
“The police apparently had to wait for stingers from Bunbury and back up. It was way too long and there were way too many people put in danger while the police had their hands tied by rules and regulations.
“The only reason I did what I did was because it had been going on for so long and I was concerned someone was going to be killed.”
Mr Nielsen first came across Sykes on his way to town earlier in the day.
The only reason I did what I did was because it had been going on for so long and I was concerned someone was going to be killed.
Ryan Nielsen
He was going to follow the vehicle and alert authorities, but as he went to turn around, police were in the area.
Mr Nielsen carried on with his day, and heard reports of the driver racing and doing burnouts near Margaret River Independent School.
“People seemed scared and as a parent and general local citizen, I was concerned for the well being of everyone,” he said.
It was when he came across Sykes again, with ‘no police in sight’, that he decided to intervene.
“I proceeded to chase him as he had been showing no regard for human life,” he said.
“I beeped my horn and flashed my lights trying to warn people and was questioning myself as to whether I was doing the right thing but my instincts told me to carry on.”
Police Media were contacted for comment and did not respond in time for publication.
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Margaret River Mail
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