Senior police officer’s grandson cautioned ‘after threatening police during car crash dispute’

The grandson of one of the state’s leading police officers was cautioned after threatening patrols on an Adelaide backstreet and insisting: “Let them know who they work for”. Watch the video.

The grandson of one of the state’s leading police officers was cautioned after threatening patrols on an Adelaide backstreet and insisting: “let them know who they work for”.

Police and emergency services were called to Sando Ave, Tranmere earlier this month after reports a white Holden 2012 Cruze hatchback had crashed into several parked vehicles.

The driver, whose grandparent is a senior SA Police officer, was witnessed acting erratically before “taking a swing” at attending officers.

Police arrest a man after a crash on Sando Ave, Tranmere, on Tuesday night, May 9, 2023. Picture: Supplied

He received an “adult caution” after, what police described as, a “mental health incident”.

Witnesses claimed during a confrontation with officers, the man “mentioned” his grandparent’s name before yelling: “Let them know who they work for”.

They said officers seemed “really surprised” and asked how he knew the senior officer.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the senior officer, who was not involved in the incident or an issuing of a caution.

The senior officer in question would not comment.

Neighbours told how they heard several loud bangs and shouting on the northeastern suburban street just after 8pm on Tuesday, May 9.

The Holden Cruze after crashing into a white Toyota Landcruiser. Picture: Supplied

The man, who is also not being named, allegedly crashed into cars including a white Toyota Landcruiser and silver Commodore sedan belonging to Jasdeep Pahar, 31.

“The police were trying to calm him for between an hour and 90 minutes,” Mr Pahar said.

“He couldn’t even move and could hardly stand. He mentioned a name and the police were really surprised … One said ‘How does he know (them)?’.

“He then said ‘Let them know who they work for’, and then he mentioned (their) name again.”

Mr Pahar, a truck driver, said he was now “struggling to get my car fixed” due to insurance detail problems.

Video shows a relative trying to restrain the man, wearing dark tracksuit pants, white shoes and a grey top, on a footpath as officers watch from the street.

He shoves him into a fence before he jumping around with his fists in a boxing-style pose.

As the supporter urges him to “calm down” as officers approach, the man becomes more aggressive.

“You need to calm down right now,” an officer says, which sparks an angry expletive from the grandson.

“I’m not going to have you fighting on the street. Stop it right now.”

Some of the car damage sustained after the crash in Adelaide’s northeast. Picture: Andrew Hough

Officers appear to use capsicum spray before tackling him to the ground and arresting him. The suspect yells about his leg as officers slap handcuffs on him.

He was taken into custody. It is believed the incident is captured on police body cameras.

Another neighbour, who declined to be named, told of her shock at the response, which included three patrols and a duty Inspector.

“I was a bit concerned, to be honest,” they said.

“Police were being very patient. He was off his face. I heard screaming and I got really scared. This is Tranmere. I’ve lived here since the 1970s and nothing like that has happened here.”

A third neighbour, who also did not want to be named, called police over safety concerns.

“He was yelling and getting quite aggressive, kicking tyres,” they said.

A supporter who answered the door at a northern suburbs home linked to the man, refused to answer questions on Tuesday.

“That’s already been dealt with, we have no comment,” he said before slamming the front door shut.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police attended a mental health incident at Tranmere.

“Initially the male was arrested for disorderly behaviour, but was later given an adult caution following completion of the investigation and his subsequent transfer to hospital.

“This matter was dealt with locally by Eastern District patrols.”

Originally published as Senior police officer’s grandson cautioned ‘after threatening police during car crash dispute’