Pastor and guest tackle knife-wielding offender during alleged assault at Croydon church

A pastor and his guest performed an act of saving grace – pinning down a man who allegedly pulled a knife on a parishioner outside a suburban church.

Pastor Ryan Pickard helped pin a man to the ground in a citizen arrest. Picture: Facebook

A church pastor and his guest tackled a man to the ground and performed a citizen’s arrest after they were allegedly threatened with a knife in a terrifying attack outside a South Australian church.

Pastor Ryan Pickard said the incident happened when he was packing up for the night at Croydon Park Community Church of the Nazarene on Sunday.

He said he was with guests and when one saw a man “carrying things off that belonged to the church”.

Then, when one went to use the outdoor bathroom, the man appeared and pulled out a knife, Pastor Pickard claimed.

Croydon Park Community Church of the Nazarene pastor Ryan Pickard told 9 News Adelaide the church attendee had witnessed a man “carrying things off that belonged to the church” before the man threatened the victim with a knife. Picture: Facebook

“My friend explained he pulled a knife out on him,” Pastor Pickard told 9News Adelaide.

“(My friend) ran and tackled him down until police arrived.”

The pastor then helped pin the man to the ground.

Other witnesses told 9News they were “very scared” by the incident.

SA Police confirmed they were called to Days Rd on Sunday, about 7.40pm.

A 51-year-old man from Croydon Park was arrested at the scene, they said.

He was charged with aggravated assault and bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on August 13.

The victim and witness were not physically injured during the incident.

Originally published as Pastor and guest tackle knife-wielding offender during alleged assault at Croydon church