Police have charged a man with assaulting a taxi driver before stealing his vehicle near Mandurah yesterday.

It is believed the 29-year-old man was with a friend when he was picked up in Burswood soon after midnight and became involved in an argument with the driver.

Police say the man punched the taxi driver in the face forcing him to stop and abandon his vehicle on Manjoogoordup Road.

It is alleged the man stole the taxi, which was later found dumped in Falcon.

He has been charged with two counts of criminal damage, one count of stealing and one count of assaulting a public officer.