Escapee caught after major hunt in Perth

A suspected armed robber who jumped from a wheelchair and escaped from custody while being escorted to hospital has been recaptured after a major police search in suburban Perth.

Police are investigating why Colin Bradley Little was not handcuffed when he fled from two escorting constables outside Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital at about 6am (WST) on Thursday.

The 22-year-old, described by police as dangerous, was caught at around 1pm (WST) in a backyard in Swanbourne in the city's west after about 140 officers backed by helicopters and police dogs combed the area.

A police spokesman said an earlier sighting by a member of the public had helped police close in on the escapee.

Members of the Perth Tactical Response Group used a Taser stun gun in Little's capture after he was found hiding up a tree.

Little had been arrested on Wednesday following a high-speed car chase through the city during which he allegedly threatened a motorist with a hammer, hijacked cars and rolled one vehicle.

Metropolitan police commander Gary Budge said that while Little was at large, local residents had been advised to keep their house and car doors shut and to stay inside.

He told reporters Little had complained of serious injuries while at the East Perth Watch House and was taken by van to the hospital.

"On exit from a police van, he was placed in a wheelchair and fled from the officers."

Supt Budge said that when people in custody were to be transported, officers assessed their flight risk.

"He would certainly be a flight risk.

"The circumstances of his restraint is something we will have to investigate."

The investigation would also determine if Little's complaints about injuries were just a ruse to evade police, Supt Budge said.

Little had been due to appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Thursday after being charged with more than 20 offences including aggravated armed robbery, armed robbery and stealing a motor vehicle.

A 21-year-old woman, an alleged accomplice of Little, was to appear in court on Thursday to face two counts of stealing a motor vehicle.

Police allege the pair stole a car on Wednesday after threatening the occupants with a hammer.

They allege Little forced the driver out of another car and tried to do the same with three others during a chase lasting several hours through Perth.

It ended when he allegedly rammed a police car and rolled the stolen car.