Coronavirus: woman assaulted in ‘racist attack’ at Sydney McDonalds
An investigation has been launched after a woman was assaulted and told to “stop spreading coronavirus” in racist incident at a busy McDonalds restaurant on Sydney’s north shore.
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Police have launched an investigation after a woman was assaulted in a racist attack at a McDonalds restaurant on Sydney’s north shore.
An appeal for public information has been launched after officers were called to the fast-food outlet at The Forum in St Leonards just after 6.30pm on Sunday.
North Shore Police said the Naremburn woman was buying food with her eight-year-old son when a man behind her made a “racist slur” and blamed her for “spreading coronavirus”.
The woman, understood to be aged in her 40s and of Asian appearance, then took out her phone to film the man while saying words to the effect of “you’ll be famous on social media”.
A North Shore Police spokeswoman said the man then “knocked the phone out of her hand” and pushed her, causing the woman to stumble backwards.
The random incident was reported by staff and bystanders who assisted the woman and picked up her mobile which had been thrown on the floor.
Footage from the woman’s phone is being reviewed by police and officers have also requested CCTV from The Forum and McDonalds.
The store manager, who asked not to be named, described the incident as “totally unprovoked”.
“From what I saw the man came out of nowhere and started abusing her,” he said.
“(The staff) behind the counter tried to verbally separate them but for the safety of employees we had to call in security.
“We haven’t had anything like that happen in the restaurant before – we’ve had incidents of people attempting to break in after we close but nothing like this.”
The man is described as caucasian with a large build and long dark hair that was tied a ponytail.
Anyone with information is asked to call Chatswood Police Station on 9414 8499.