Dee Why teen brawl on Oaks Ave police seek witnesses
Police want to speak to anyone who witnessed a violent lunchtime confrontation between two groups of youths on a popular northern beaches shopping strip.
Manly
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Two young men have been charged over their alleged part in a violent lunchtime incident involving up to 10 people on a busy northern beaches shopping strip.
Dozens of shoppers were shocked when a confrontation between two groups of youths, aged in their late teens to early 20s, threatened to become an all-in brawl on Oaks Ave at Dee Why.
Winessees said a group of young men wearing tracksuits and carrying small leather bags, chased another group of youths through the shopping area.
It occured after they confronted them outside the Woolworths supermarket just before 1pm on Monday.
Several of the youths were from outside the northern beaches.
One caller to triple-0 said they saw a knife.
Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Uniformed Proactive Crime Team have spoken to several witnesses, but were keen to speak anyone who witnessed the confrontation.
“There were many members of the public who would have seen this incident,” a spokesman said.
“We would urge anyone who was out shopping, or a bystander, to contact us as soon as possible.”
The spokesman said the incident began outside Woolworths in Oaks Ave before the youths moved east down the footpath as far as the Dee Why Post Office.
The two groups, with one group chasing the other, were yelling at and threatening each other.
Two of the males – aged 17 and 18 – were arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station. An 18-year-old Punchbowl man was charged with affray, use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, resist officer in execution of duty and not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19.
The youth was charged with affray and not comply with direction – COVID-19.
Anyone with information that can assist the investigation is asked to call Frenchs Forest police station on 9452 9599 and ask to speak to an officer in the Uniformed Proactive Crime Team.