Man allegedly bites, attacks officers with knife in Sydney's CBD
A man allegedly attacked two police officers with a knife and bit another on the arm in Sydney's CBD overnight, moments after he allegedly harassed a food delivery rider.
The 32-year-old Lakemba man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly lashed out in a frenzied attack, leaving one officer bleeding heavily from the head and shoulder.
A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting three police officers, including a 20-year-old probationary constable who was treated for a bite to one of his triceps. Credit:NSW Police
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command responded to a call about 12.20am from a witness who said they had seen the man allegedly harassing the delivery rider on George Street in the CBD.
Police quickly located the man walking along York Street near Market Street.
As the officers approached, a struggle broke out and the Lakemba man allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket, slashing one officer across the head and shoulder and another on the hand, before biting the third officer on the arm.
The man was arrested before being taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for assessment. He was later discharged and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, wounding with intent to resist arrest and assaulting a police officer.
He was refused bail and was due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Police said the man was staying at Megaboom City Hotel, a backpackers' hostel, on York Street. Detectives were conducting a search of his room on Wednesday afternoon.
A receptionist at the hostel said police were "just conducting an investigation and are finishing soon".
She said the man had booked a room for 10 nights and had three nights remaining.
Central Metropolitan Regional Commander Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said body-worn camera footage from the officers involved had left investigators at a loss as to what had motivated the man to lash out.
"That is something detectives will have to piece together. It happened so quick it wasn't funny. One of those very flash reaction moments," he said.
"We are yet to speak to [the food delivery rider]. We are hoping that person sees media reporting and comes forward to speak to police."
A 40-year-old senior constable was slashed in the head and shoulder.Credit:NSW Police
All three injured officers were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment.
One, a 40-year-old senior constable, underwent treatment for a laceration to the left side of his head and his left upper shoulder, while a 39-year-old acting sergeant received treatment for a laceration on his finger and a knee injury.
A 20-year-old probationary constable was treated for a bite to one of his triceps.
"They are serious injuries. The [40-year-old] officer involved had his life on the line," Assistant Commissioner Willing said.
"This incident just highlights the dangers for police."
He added that the serious charge of attempted murder reflected the alleged actions of the Lakemba man, which were "very intentional",
"The risk of officers losing their lives in that sort of situation is very, very real," he said, adding that officers still wished to speak to the food delivery rider.
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