Police rush to scene after reports of colleague injured by car
FOUR young men arrested at the scene of an inner-city incident in which two police were injured were wanted for questioning over violent robberies in the CBD involving a sword. But before they were nabbed several police cars were rammed injuring two officers.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FOUR men arrested at the scene of an inner-city incident in which two police were injured this evening were wanted for questioning over a spate of violent robberies in the CBD, including one where a man was threatened with a sword.
Just after 5.30pm, a stolen silver Mercedes AMG with four occupants was stopped on Euston Lane near Maddox St, Alexandria, when two unmarked police vehicles approached it from both sides.
It’s alleged the Mercedes reversed into one of the police cars, injuring a female officer inside, before accelerating into three other police cars.
A Dog Unit vehicle arriving at the scene was also hit and a male officer sustained lacerations to his arms and legs.
The four occupants of the Mercedes were arrested and a sword was retrieved from the back of the Mercedes, a police source said.
The 20-year-old male, who was taken to Redfern Police Station on Wednesday afternoon, was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Three other teenagers who were taken to Newtown are said to be part of the string of robberies as well.
All four men are set to be charged overnight.
The injured female officer was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with a minor laceration to her head.
The male officer was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Joe Harris, 28, lives in a unit that looks straight onto the scene.
“We were in the kitchen making dinner and all of a sudden we heard a lot of people shouting... we all looked outside,” he said.
“Didn’t seem like much was going on and then all of a sudden 20 to 30 police cars showed up.
“It seemed like the whole police force.”
“They arrived here within minutes, even seconds.
“We could see down the alleyway and we could see a bunch of police vehicles and guys and undercover units.”
Meanwhile, a man was charged with assaulting police during a joint operation targeting the transportation of dangerous goods in the Hunter Region.
About 9am, police stopped a truck carrying several large gas bottles to conduct an inspection at Rixs Creek on the New England Highway.
A man who was driving behind the truck stopped and confronted police before allegedly punching a senior constable in the face.
The 47-year-old was arrested and taken to Singleton Police Station where he was charged with assault police.
He is expected to appear at Singleton Local Court on Thursday.