Immigration detainee arrested after allegedly attacking contractors in Clyde, Sydney

An immigration detainee sparked a manhunt in Sydney after he allegedly attacked two guards on the way to the airport and escaped.

An immigration detainee who allegedly stabbed and assaulted Australian Border Force contractors before escaping in Western Sydney has been arrested and charged.

Police allege 28-year-old Tongan national Paea Teu attacked the two men transporting him from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport in the early hours of Thursday.

Police allege the two contractors were attacked on James Ruse Drive at Clyde, in Sydney’s west. Picture Thomas Lisson

Emergency services were called to a vehicle parked on James Ruse Drive at Clyde about 3.40am, where they found a 54-year-old man suffering stab wounds to his neck and cheek and a 36-year-old man who had been assaulted.

Both men were taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.

Police allege a 28-year-old Tongan national, identified as Paea Teu, attacked two men while they were driving him from Villawood to the airport early Thursday morning. Picture: Facebook

It is alleged Mr Teu’s attack enabled him to escape the car, with authorities launching a manhunt across parts of Sydney to track him down.

Police told media the 28-year-old was believed to frequent the Mount Pritchard area and other parts of Western Sydney, with it believed he had tracked westbound from James Ruse Drive.

Officers raided a St Andrews home on Friday afternoon on reports Mr Teu may be there, surrounding the property and bringing in the dog squad.

However the search was unsuccessful and police appealed to the public for information on the wanted man, though warned not to approach Mr Teu if he was sighted.

Mr Teu’s escape sparked a large-scale search across parts of Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Thomas Lisson

Mr Teu was arrested on Friday evening after police received reports he was spotted at Eschol Park.

He and a 24-year-old woman were taken into custody a short time later on Ballantrae Drive in St Andrews.

Mr Teu has since been charged with cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder, and wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.

The woman has been charged with knowingly harbour, maintain, or employ an escaped inmate.

She was granted conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on May 22.

Originally published as Immigration detainee arrested after allegedly attacking contractors in Clyde, Sydney