Home

Laemin Forbes sparks Perth manhunt after tasers fail to stop 40-year-old’s violent assaults

Headshot of Sarah Steger
Sarah StegerThe West Australian
VideoWA Police are hunting down Laemin Forbes, who they say jumped through a glass window and threw an elderly woman to the ground in his violent bid to escape arrest.

A State-wide manhunt is under way for a man who police allege smashed his way through a glass window and several homes in Como, attacking officers and two elderly women in his violent bid to escape arrest.

Laemin Forbes has been on the run since just after 7am Thursday, after he led police on a violent and bloody foot chase through several Como homes, backyards and streets.

Detectives had tasered him five times before giving chase — their attempts barely slowing Mr Forbes down.

Wearing nothing but his underwear and carrying a shovel in his hands, police were forced to run after Mr Forbes after they were called to a home on Canning Highway as part of an ongoing investigation.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

After resisting their attempts to arrest him, the 40-year-old allegedly broke free and smashed his way through a closed glass window.

SEE THE ASTONISHING VISION FROM POLICE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

He then allegedly led officers on a foot chase through the area, bleeding from a series of significant lacerations he sustained during his jump.

It is alleged he was so violent, police were unable to detain him and put a stop to the assault he then unleashed on 84-year-old Mary.

The elderly woman had been walking on the footpath on Edgecumbe Street when Mr Forbes allegedly grabbed her and threw her to the ground.

She hit her head on the pavement hard and was rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Mary said she thought she “was done” when Mr Forbes put his arm across her chest mid-rampage.

Leaving a trail of blood behind him, Mr Forbes then burst into another home, trying to steal a bicycle from a backyard.

Mr Forbes then allegedly approached another woman during his dramatic flight, wrestling a handbag from another woman in her 80 and stealing her car keys.

She told 7NEWS “he was very strong”.

“I couldn’t fight him off if I tried. I’m only a little old lady,” the woman said.

When police tried to pull him from the red Mitsubishi ASX he’d climbed into, Mr Forbes allegedly hit the accelerator and smashed through the front gates of the woman’s carport, narrowly missing officers as he drove into the street.

He was last seen allegedly speeding down Canning Highway in Mount Pleasant in the car that was later found bogged in bushland in Huntingdale.

In an alert issued by police, Mr Forbes was described as “violent and unpredictable”.

“He should not be approached under any circumstances,” the statement said. “If sighted, members of the community are asked not to approach Mr Forbes but to call police immediately on 131 444.”

Mr Forbes is described as having a medium build with black hair and brown eyes. Police do not know what he is wearing.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails