At about 1.10pm on Monday the 10th of August 2015 a 33 year old male from Spalding was walking along Durlacher Street in Geraldton talking on his mobile phone.

It will be alleged a 37 year old male from Utakarra approached the 33 year old and accused him of stealing his mobile phone.

The 33 year old informed the Utakarra male that he did not take his phone, however without warning the 37 year old punched the victim to the face with a closed fist cutting his lip and causing him to drop his mobile phone.

Police will further allege the 37 year old picked up the victim’s phone and left the scene.

Officers from Mid-West Gascoyne Traffic Office were patrolling the area when a member of the public who witnessed the incident pointed out the alleged offender to the officers who apprehended the male after a short foot chase.

It will be further alleged the victim’s mobile phone was recovered from the apprehended male’s pocket.

He was arrested and will appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on the 11th of August 2015.