A middle-aged man who allegedly terrorized a quiet Sydney street by threatening people with a machete has been charged.
Police and paramedics were called to Marion Street in Leichhardt, in inner Sydney, about 10.35am on Saturday after receiving reports that a man was brandishing a large knife at locals before crashing into a building.
The 54-year-old was later arrested without incident following a tense standoff with tactical police.
On Saturday night he was charged with four offences, including arming with intent to commit an indictable offence, attempted stalking/intimidation with intent to create fear of harm, common assault and affray.
Terrified residents alleged that several passers-by were lucky to escape and one man fell to the ground before managing to escape unharmed.
A resident of the street alleged that he had a “big sword.”
“He almost hit a guy with it, but the guy pushed him away,” he told Nine News.
A 54-year-old man has been charged for allegedly threatening people on a Sydney street with a machete.
The incident sparked a major police operation that included tactical officers.
Another described a passerby defending himself with his bag.
“Then another person was walking down the street with a backpack and tried to stab them and the man was holding the backpack in front of him to protect himself,” said a terrified witness. news.com.au.
The man allegedly ran into a mechanic’s shop and briefly barricaded himself inside while members of the riot squad began negotiations using a large loudspeaker.
The man eventually came out and was “grabbed” by police officers.
Another witness alleged that the man was holding a “large machete.”
“He was chasing another guy, saying, ‘come back here,’ and swinging the machete at the guy, and then chasing other people, and then he opened (someone’s) purse,” he told the publication.
At one point police were heard negotiating with the man using a large megaphone.
The riot unit responded to the incident around 10:35 a.m. on Saturday.
New South Wales Police said a man had been arrested following a police operation in Leichhardt.
“A perimeter was established and, with the help of specialized resources, an operation was launched to locate the man,” police said.
“The man was arrested without incident at around 12.30pm and was taken to Newtown Police Station and is assisting police with inquiries.”
A Leichhardt man has been charged following a police operation on Saturday
The man is seen being led away by police in handcuffs after the incident.
The man was evaluated by paramedics at the scene.
Buses were diverted for up to an hour when Marion Street was closed between Cromwell Street and Elswick Street.
Investigations into the incident continue.
The Leichhardt man has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.