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Coronavirus crisis: Man charged after allegedly telling police he had COVID-19 during his arrest

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Rourke WalshThe West Australian
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A man who allegedly told police he was infected with COVID-19 during his arrest over a serious family violence incident has been charged with creating a false belief.

The 33-year-old was arrested in Perth’s northern suburbs on March 11 and allegedly told officers he had a confirmed case of the virus.

Police allege at about 5.40pm the next day he admitted to custody officers that he had lied about having the virus, which police say was later confirmed by test results.

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The man has also been linked by investigators to an explosive device in Redcliffe on March 4, police allege.

That incident involved an explosion and device being left on a road resulting and Tactical Response Group bomb technicians attending to secure the area.

He has also been charged with making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.

The man is has been remanded in custody to appear in Perth Magistrate’s Court on April 23.

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