Man allegedly ‘punched nine people in the head’ and threatened them with a needle during servo robbery attempt
A man has been arrested and charged following an alleged horrific attack on a group of people going about their business in and around a rural service station in the Hunter Region.
Police were called to a service station in Weston, seven miles east of Cessnock, at around 10.30am on Friday after receiving reports of an attack.
When they arrived at the scene, officers were told a man “punched nine people in the head, then threatened them with a needle and fled the scene.”
“Police were also told the man ran to a nearby service station on Cessnock Road, where he stole a number of items and then fled the scene again,” a police spokesman said.
“After searching the area, police found the 34-year-old man at a church on Istasyon Street.
“When police attempted to speak to the man he allegedly ran away from officers before stopping nearby.
“Police again attempted to speak to the man, but the man allegedly attempted to attack officers before being arrested. Police used OC spray and a stun gun during the arrest.”
The man was attended to by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with seven counts of assault, assault on a police officer, affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was also charged with stalking and intimidating with intent to cause fear and physical harm, being armed with intent to commit a crime and stealing.
The man was refused bail and will appear in the Bail Division Local Court on Saturday.
