Joel Januik charged over alleged rampage on Hume Highway, assault of passengers including off duty police officer

A 32-year-old man faces 12 charges after allegedly ramming vehicles and assaulting five people including two youths and an undercover police officer along a highway between southwest Sydney and the Southern Highlands.

A man is facing 12 charges over an alleged rampage on the Hume Highway.

A 32-year-old driver has faced court after allegedly ramming cars and assaulting five people including an off duty police officer and two young girls, along the Hume Highway between southwest Sydney and the Southern Highlands.

Inner West man Joel Januik’s matter was mentioned in Campbelltown Local Court on Monday, as he faced 12 charges over the alleged rampage.

Januik did not apply for bail with his matter adjourned to Goulburn Local Court in October.

On Saturday, police commenced inquiries following reports a silver Toyota Camry sedan was stolen from an address on Riverside Crescent, Marrickville.

Around 6pm, police received reports that a Camry was driving in an erratic and dangerous manner southbound on the Hume Highway, crashing into a number of vehicles including a coach.

The man’s matter was mentioned at Campbelltown court. Picture: Dylan Arvela

No injuries were reported, however Januik allegedly fled the scene.

Shortly after, police responded to further reports of a Camry allegedly deliberately hitting two more cars on the Hume Highway between Alpine and Berrima.

At 6.30pm police were called again, following reports of a two car crash between a Camry and a Tesla.

Police state Januik allegedly got out of the car and assaulted the 40-year-old male driver of the Tesla and his passengers, including two girls aged 11 and 12 and a 46-year-old woman.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the driver and passengers for facial injuries before transporting them to Bowral Hospital.

Reports of a fifth car being hit came minutes later at 6.40pm, before the Camry came to a stop on the Hume Highway near Paddys River.

An off-duty officer that was nearby stopped to assist, when Januik allegedly assaulted the officer before fleeing the crash site on foot.

The alleged incidents occurred on the Hume Highway.

Januik was apprehended after a short foot pursuit and was taken to Southern Highlands Police Station before being taken to Campbelltown Hospital under police guard.

Januik was taken to Campbelltown Police station after he was discharged from the hospital, where he was charged with assaulting a police officer, two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, one charge of common assault, aggravated assault with intention to drive motor vehicle and inflict actual bodily harm.

Other charges include driving conveyance without consent from owner, aggravated assault with intention to rob, negligent driving, hindering police and refusing to submit to a breath test and analysis.

Police state they had also received reports of a Toyota Camry matching the description of the vehicle Januik was allegedly driving on Saturday from Riverside Crescent, Marrickville.