Gladstone Park man Anthony Katsakis, 37, faces Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for allegedly throwing rock at police car and punching officer in face

A Gladstone Park man allegedly threw a rock at a police car and punched an officer in the nose in a violent arrest.

An “extremely paranoid” Gladstone Park man, who was filmed being violently arrested, has faced court after he allegedly threw a rock at a police car, punched an officer in the face knocking them unconscious and smashed poker machines in Melbourne’s northwest.

Anthony Katsakis, 37, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a bail application and faced charges including destroying or damaging property, assaulting an emergency worker on duty and intentionally causing injury.

Hume CIU Detective Senior Constable and informant James Chalmers told the court Mr Katsakis went to the Skyways Hotel in Airport West on Tuesday and allegedly smashed a poker machine screen with a large rock, causing $20,000 in damage.

He then went to the Gladstone Park Hotel and allegedly threw a rock at another poker machine valued at $4000.

Still shot image of the police arresting Mr Katsakis.

Later on, Mr Katsakis went to the Broadmeadows police station and again allegedly threw a rock into a marked police car’s windscreen then tried to smash the back window.

Constable Chalmers said three officers went outside the station to arrest Mr Katsakis but he allegedly fled the scene.

Police caught up with Mr Katsakis in the driveway of the Broadmeadows VicRoads where he allegedly kicked and punched officers until one was knocked unconscious and another was left with blood pouring from their nose.

He was capsicum sprayed but allegedly continued to try and fight as officers pinned him to the ground.

Nearby witnesses alleged to police Mr Katsakis was “aggressive”.

One of the officers during the alleged incident.

Mr Katsakis was taken to the Broadmeadows Police Station before being conveyed to the Northern Hospital under police guard.

The officers were treated by Ambulance Victoria crews and one required CAT scans for a suspected concussion.

Constable Chalmers said Mr Katsakis — who suffers from psychosis and schizophrenia — had “serious religious delusions” that made him “extremely paranoid”.

Mr Katsakis’ lawyer withdrew an application for bail after she was unable to contact the defendant’s psychiatrist.

Magistrate Rohan Lawrence said there was a “level of concern” for Mr Katsakis’ behaviour and he believed he posed a risk to the community.

The case was adjourned.

Outside of court, police had defended the violent arrest after it was filmed by onlookers.