Man charged after alleged stabbing, assaults in Torquay

A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting two people, including a man carrying a young child, and allegedly stabbing another in a terrifying rampage in Torquay. SEE THE FOOTAGE

A 44-year-old Torquay man has been charged with multiple offences after he allegedly stabbed a man and assaulted two people in Torquay at the weekend.

Police said the man had been charged with reckless conduct endanger serious injury, intentionally cause injury, assault with weapon and other assault-related offences.

He was remanded to appear before Geelong court on Monday.

Security camera footage appears to show the alleged offender wielding a knife as he allegedly assaults a man holding a young child in the Torquay Pharmacy.

Assistant pharmacist Sally Irwin said there were about 15 people in the store at the time and staff and customers were left shaken.

“There were children around, which was just awful,” she said.

“Given what has been happening lately (including the Bondi Junction massacre), it has affected all of us, it’s frightening.

“It happened so fast, we just wanted him to leave and not hurt anybody else and not knife anyone.

“We were just so worried he was going to hurt someone.”

Torquay Pharmacy Sally Irwin, Alf Jacobson and Jo Saliaris. Picture: Mark Wilson

Police said officers were told a man armed with a knife was walking along Zeally Bay Rd and Fischer St when he entered a number of businesses about 10.45am on Saturday.

“It is believed he then approached a man and stabbed him on Zeally Bay Rd,” police spokeswoman Caitlin Knight said.

“The man received a minor injury and was assessed by paramedics on scene.”

The man then entered the pharmacy on Gilbert St, where he allegedly assaulted two people, who Ms Knight said were not injured. CCTV footage appears to show the alleged offender standing behind a man with a child before flicking out the knife and kicking the man.

The alleged offender did not know the victims, police said.

The man ran from the scene and was arrested a short time later at a house in Torquay, Ms Knight said.

He was taken to hospital for assessment. It is understood mental health may have been a factor in the incident.

Ms Irwin said the alleged offender was known to staff.

“There were a lot of people in the store, trying to get medication and he just lost it,” she said.

Originally published as Man charged after alleged stabbing, assaults in Torquay