Alleged Curry Lover thief Solomon Tefera Woreta in induced coma

Days after he allegedly held up a local curry restaurant, a man is in an induced coma in hospital – as mystery surrounds how it happened.

Croydon restaurant Curry Lover following the robbery. Picture Agnes Gichuhi

Mystery surrounds how an alleged attempted robber was left in an induced coma and with “life-threatening injuries” after a citizen’s arrest in the western suburbs last week.

The Advertiser understands 37-year-old Solomon Tefera Woreta has since been in an induced coma in intensive care at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Given Mr Woreta was taken into custody while at hospital, his family has been unable to see him as he is under guard of correctional services.

It is understood Mr Woreta was induced with a fractured skull.

Mr Woreta has been charged with the attempted aggravated robbery of Croydon Park’s Curry Lover restaurant on Days Road.

Major Crime Police attend the restaurant. Picture: Agnes Gichuhi

An SA Police spokesman said no further charges had been laid, and police were not expecting to do so.

A spokeswoman for the Corrections Department said Mr Woreta was taken into custody while at the hospital and was in a “stable condition”.

She said his family had not been able to visit him and could not give certainty they would be able to do so.

“The department has been in contact with the prisoner’s family and is updating them on the prisoner’s current condition,” she said.

“Steps have been put in place to progress a family visit.”

Mr Woreta on Friday did not speak during a bedside hearing at the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court where his counsel’s firm, Old Port Chambers, requested an adjournment on the resulting charge of aggravated theft using force and made no application for bail.

He was arrested about 9pm on October 26 after he allegedly walked into the restaurant as it was closing, tapped a baseball bat on the counter and demanded the owner hand over the cash in the till.

In the aftermath of the alleged attempted robbery, restaurant owners Anand and Anita Singh spoke with The Advertiser describing their fright.

They said Mr Woreta was restricted before police were called and he was arrested.

Croydon restaurant Curry Lover owner Anita Singh, 42. Picture Agnes Gichuhi

Mrs Singh said the couple had given Mr Woreta water to try to get him to relax “because he was screaming so much”.

Police later issued a statement saying Mr Woreta had been hospitalised with injuries “sustained prior to his arrest”.

In the statement they revealed Major Crime had become involved in the investigation – something done when a person may have received “life-threatening injuries”.

Mr Woreta is next due to face court in February.