Three people have been charged following an altercation with police at a shopping centre in Sydney's south west yesterday.
About 4.40pm yesterday (Thursday 9 September 2021), officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols at Bass Hill, when they approached a man who was not wearing a face mask at a shopping centre on Johnston Road.
When the man removed a mask from his pocket, officers asked if he had a medical exemption, but he refused to respond and attempted to walk away.
Officers followed the man and asked for his details, but he continued to ignore their requests.
After the man was advised he was required to provide identification and failure to comply may constitute an offence, he allegedly became aggressive before again attempting to walk away.
Police attempted to arrest the man, but he resisted, and a struggle ensued.
After officers affected the arrest, the man appeared to become unresponsive and assistance was requested from NSW Ambulance paramedics.
A local doctor conducted first aid until the arrival of paramedics, who assessed the man and indicated they would transport him to Bankstown Hospital.
It's alleged that a 21-year-old woman, who is known to the man, had to be physically removed from the ambulance by police after repeatedly being told by paramedics she could not travel with the man.
During this altercation, the woman allegedly became abusive towards the officers before shoving a female constable and kicking a male constable.
While she was being arrested, another man – aged 18 – allegedly attempted to hinder police and was also arrested. They were both taken to Bankstown Police Station.
Three police officers suffered minor cuts and scratches during the altercations.
The 25-year-old man was released from hospital during the evening and also taken to Bankstown Police Station.
During a subsequent search of his bag, police located and seized a flick knife.
He was subsequently charged with not wear fitted face covering, intimidate police officer in execution of duty, resist/hinder police officer in execution of duty, and custody of knife in a public place.
The woman was charged with resist/hinder police officer in execution of duty, two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty, not wear fitted face covering, and use offensive language in public place.
The younger man was charged with resist/hinder police officer in execution of duty.
All three were granted strict conditional bail and are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 7 October 2021.
