By Laine Clark

An accused petrol thief has run over a service station attendant, as fuel costs soar due to war in the Middle East.

A 39-year-old man has been charged after the attendant was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the alarming incident at a Western Australian petrol station.

The man is accused of filling up his vehicle at an Armadale station in southeast Perth about 1pm on Monday before attempting to leave without paying.

A male attendant was struck and injured when he attempted to stop the sedan, police said.

“The attendant sustained serious facial injuries and was conveyed by ambulance to hospital for medical treatment,” police said in a statement.

Detectives tracked down the alleged fuel thief hours later, arresting him about 11.40pm on Monday.

The man from Armadale has been charged with a string of offences including stealing and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear at Armadale Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The incident occurred as fuel prices surge, with shortages hitting petrol stations nationwide amid the Middle East conflict.