Key Takeaways:
- A 30-year-old man in Dunedin, New Zealand, allegedly attacked police with a knife and his teeth, leaving one officer with bite wounds.
- The man was arrested after a confrontation at a South Dunedin business, where he had been harassing the owner for months.
- The officer who was bitten will require ongoing blood checks due to concerns about contracting Hepatitis.
- The man has been charged with multiple offenses, including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, injuring with intent to injure, and possession of an offensive weapon.
- The incident occurred on Friday morning, and the man appeared in court on Saturday to face charges related to the incident.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident began on Friday morning when a 30-year-old man entered a business on Bridgman St in South Dunedin, looking for the owner. The man had a history of harassment against the business owner, including a previous incident in which he allegedly ran over the owner with his car. Staff at the business asked the man to leave, and police were called after he refused to do so. The man was found walking along King Edward St, where he was approached by police and told he was under arrest.
The Confrontation with Police
The man brandished a knife at police, but eventually threw it away. He was handcuffed and restrained, but continued to struggle against police, kicking and pulling against them. As he was taken to the ground, he bit one of the police officers under the right armpit, puncturing the skin. The officer was taken to the hospital to be assessed, and will require ongoing blood checks due to concerns about contracting Hepatitis. The man also attempted to bite two other police staff while on the ground, and allegedly tried to bite a fourth officer while being transferred to the police vehicle.
Previous Interactions and Court Proceedings
The man has a history of interactions with the Bridgman St business, including a previous incident in which he allegedly ran over the owner with his car. He was charged with wilful damage and assault with a blunt instrument in relation to that incident. The man appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Saturday to face charges related to Friday’s incident, including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, injuring with intent to injure, and possession of an offensive weapon. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Christmas Eve to face all seven charges.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness, Liam O’Neill, managing director of Hobby Lords, witnessed the arrest from the window of their King Edward St store. He described the scene as "pretty dramatic" and said that the man was "pretty aggressive with the cops". O’Neill noted that the police officers were "really put through the wringer" with the man, who was strong and fighting every inch of the way. The arrest occurred in the pouring rain, making the situation even more challenging for the police officers involved.
Charges and Next Steps
The man has been charged with multiple offenses, including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, injuring with intent to injure, and possession of an offensive weapon. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Christmas Eve to face all seven charges. The police officer who was bitten will require ongoing blood checks to monitor for potential infection, and the incident is a reminder of the risks that police officers face in their daily work. The community is likely to be concerned about the incident, and the police will be working to ensure that the man is held accountable for his actions.
