In a bizarre incident that reads like a scene from an Australian crime comedy, a quick-thinking tradesman became an unlikely hero while sporting nothing but his SpongeBob SquarePants underwear.
The dramatic citizen's arrest unfolded in the small town of Bindoon, located north of Perth, when a 26-year-old builder found himself confronting an alleged car thief at a local service station.
The Underwear Confrontation
According to Western Australia Police, the extraordinary events began when the tradesman discovered his Toyota LandCruiser utility vehicle had been stolen from his property. Displaying remarkable determination, the builder began searching the area for his missing vehicle.
His persistence paid off when he spotted his stolen ute at a Bindoon petrol station. Without hesitation and clad only in his cartoon-character underwear, the builder approached the scene and confronted the 35-year-old man allegedly behind the wheel.
Tense Service Station Standoff
What followed was a tense confrontation that saw the partially-clothed tradie physically restrain the suspect while waiting for police to arrive. Witnesses described a surreal scene as the builder maintained his grip on the alleged thief despite his unusual state of dress.
"The victim, a 26-year-old man, saw his car at a service station on Great Northern Highway and approached the driver, a 35-year-old man," confirmed a police spokesperson in their official statement.
Police Response and Charges
Officers from the Western Australia Police Force promptly responded to the scene, taking the suspect into custody without further incident. The alleged thief now faces multiple charges related to the incident.
"The man has been charged with stealing a motor vehicle, two counts of breaching a violence restraining order, and no authority to drive," police confirmed in their report on the unusual arrest.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked both amusement and admiration within the local community, with many praising the builder's bravery despite his unconventional appearance during the confrontation.
Local residents have expressed surprise at the bold citizen's arrest, particularly given the builder's state of undress during the dramatic encounter. The story has quickly become talking point throughout the Wheatbelt region.
The accused man appeared before Perth Magistrates Court following his arrest, while the builder has returned to work, though likely with a story he'll be telling for years to come about the day he made an arrest in his SpongeBob underwear.
