
Police have released vision of the moment a 22-year-old man was arrested over an alleged hit-and-run in Golden Bay back in 2020.
The man, who was just 17 at the time, allegedly struck Mathew Neary with his car on Mandurah Road near Dampier Drive in the early hours of November 22.
Mr Neary, a father-of-nine, died at the scene.
Over four years later, the person accused of being behind the wheel of the vehicle was taken into custody.
Newly improved CCTV enhancement technology allowed police to identify a vehicle of interest, a white Nissan Navara D40 ute that had several distinguishing features.
Just two days after digitally reconstructed images were released to the media, the Secret Harbour man was arrested in Perth.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh Le Tessier thanked the community for their assistance.
“The support we received from the community as a result of the media broadcasts were greatly appreciated, and played a pivotal role in bringing this matter to a close," he said.
“This is a great example of the importance members of the public can play in helping bring any investigation to a resolution."
According to police, the accused was still in possession of the vehicle at the time of his arrest.
The vehicle had allegedly been modified shortly after police released images of the Navara to the public.
“We’ve recovered a vehicle that we will allege is the vehicle which took the life of Mathew Neary in 2020,” Detective Sergeant Ollie Edwards said.
“The accused was arrested in Perth city — the vehicle was recovered at a residential address at a completely separate location.”
The vehicle that allegedly struck Mathew Neary has been recovered. PIC: WA Police
The accused, who cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the alleged offence, appeared in the Perth Children's Court on Thursday.
He was not required to enter a plea and was granted bail.
The 22-year-old will reappear in court in June.