Police have charged a man with more than 20 offences as the critical incident investigation continues into the circumstances of a police shooting in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.
Officers from Campbelltown Police Area Command identified a stolen blue Subaru Impreza on Copperfield Drive, Rosemeadow, about 10.30am (Wednesday 4 November 2020) and alerted other officers after losing sight of the car near local shops.
The vehicle was located by police about 10.40am and a pursuit was initiated after the driver – a 33-year-old man – allegedly failed to stop at Campbelltown and Raby roads, St Andrews.
Police followed the car for a short period to a service station on Narellan Road, Narellan, where the driver allegedly rammed a police vehicle a number of times before threatening customers with a machete.
Shots were fired by police during the confrontation, with the 33-year-old man sustaining a wound to the leg.
A 17-year-old male passenger reportedly got out of the vehicle during the confrontation and was arrested a short time later. He was taken to Narellan Police Station and release pending further inquiries.
It’s alleged the injured man fled the service scene on foot before approaching a black Subaru and allegedly threatening the driver with a screwdriver and stealing the car.
The man then allegedly carjacked another vehicle, a Holden Cruze, on Appin Road, Bradbury, assaulting the male driver, who sustained superficial facial injuries.
With assistance from PolAir, police tracked the vehicle until it stopped in the M5 East tunnel, at the Marsh Street exit, near Arncliffe, just after 11.15am.
Officers from the Dog Unit, South West Metropolitan Region Operations Support Group and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command approached the vehicle and a taser was deployed to affect the man’s arrest.
During the struggle, it’s alleged the man bit a male sergeant and attempted to stab the police dog, both who sustained minor injuries.
The man was taken under police guard to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment, where he remains.
The Ambarvale man is expected to face a bedside court hearing today (Thursday 5 November 2020).
where he will be formally charged with 22 offences: Aggravated assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle-armed with weapon; Aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-inflict actual bodily harm; Aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-armed with weapon; five counts of use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention; Resist officer in execution of duty; two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm; Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner; three counts of not stop vehicle when directed to do so; three counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously; three counts of drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous; and never-licensed person drive vehicle on road.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the all incidents are continuing.
A critical incident team from Bankstown Police Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the police shooting. The investigation will also be subject to independent review.
