Multiple police and ambulance crews were called to a report of a brawl and stabbing at Mona Vale.
Just before 7.15pm yesterday evening (Saturday, 18 November), NSW Police and NSW Ambulance were called to a report of a brawl involving a stabbing at Park Street, Mona Vale.
Several NSW Police units raced to the scene under lights and sirens. They were accompanied by three NSW Ambulance crews, including NSW Ambulance Inspector Mark Hayes, and the Toll NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter which was tasked from Bankstown.
As police officers arrived at Park Street, Mona Vale, they were confronted with a confusing scene. They spoke with two male patrons at the pub Park House, who had been involved in an altercation with other men who had allegedly attacked them with a knife.
Each of the two local men, who were seated with friends in the outdoor beer garden, had a single bandaged hand, but refused to be assessed by arriving NSW Ambulance paramedics, insisting they required no further treatment. The helicopter was called off, and paramedics departed.
One of the men, a 36-year-old, approached the Northern Beaches Advocate and said that they had been sitting with friends in the beer garden of the pub, when a group of young males had approached from outside the premises and an argument had ensued.
The man said he and his 26-year-old male companion had followed the group across Barrenjoey Road to a southbound bus stop when the altercation became physical. There they were apparently attacked by someone who slashed at them with a box cutter, causing superficial cuts to their hands.
The man said he and his companion had then come back to the pub, where staff had offered them first aid and emergency services were called. “The staff here looked after us really well,” he said about declining ambulance assessment.
A crime scene was established by officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command at the 199 southbound bus stop at Barrenjoey Road, Mona Vale, where blood spatter was visible on the ground. Police also spoke with the two injured men at the pub and began a search of the immediate area at Mona Vale.
A short while later, police were observed speaking with three men in their 20s — one outside Mona Vale Memorial Hall at Park Street, near Mona Vale Library (image below), and two others who had been apprehended at nearby Waratah Street.
Following inquiries, police requested the attendance of firefighters with a ladder after it was reported that one of the young men had been seen throwing something onto the roof of Fleet Street (Pittwater Cellars), a bottle shop on the corner of Pittwater Road and Waratah Street.
Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station were tasked to the scene and immediately set up a ladder for police. Climbing onto the roof of the bottle shop, an officer was seen retrieving objects and placing them in an evidence bag.
A 21-year-old man, who was detained at Waratah Street (image below), was then taken to Manly Police Station where he last night remained to assist police with their inquiries.
The other man, a 22-year-old, was being cautioned by a single police officer at Waratah Street, when he broke free and made a run into traffic on busy Pittwater Road. With no regard for oncoming vehicles, the man leapt over the centre pedestrian fence barrier (main image). Pursued by the single officer, the man made a desperate dash towards Kitchener Park.
Still holding the evidence bag and radioing for assistance, the police officer followed in pursuit, jumping the fence and chasing the man down.
Catching the man in the Kitchener Park car park, the man again attempted to flee as additional officers arrived, but was once again chased down and subdued next to the tennis courts behind the southbound B-Line bus stop as he attempted to struggle free (image above).
The man faked a medical seizure as he was being subdued, later admitting to the ruse because he claimed he was scared police would bash him. The man also proceeded to make a number of escalating and improbable claims about his connection to underworld identities and having a bounty on his head as a reason for fleeing.
A NSW Ambulance was called and the man was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital for a mental health assessment.
Detectives were observed at the crime scene, and NSW Police have confirmed the matter is under active investigation and that four men remain in custody.
Update 11.00am Sunday, 19 November 2023:
After further speaking with police, and reassessing the extent of the injuries they had sustained, the two injured men aged 26 and 36, reconsidered their decision not to seek medical treatment.
According to the 36-year-old man, they took themselves to nearby Mona Vale Hospital where they found the injuries to their hands were more serious than first thought, and they received treatment. One had cut tendons and the other had damage to muscle.
NSW Police also issued the following statement this morning:
A man will appear in court today charged after two men were hospitalised following an altercation on the Northern Beaches overnight.
About 7.15pm (Saturday 18 November 2023), emergency services were called to a park on Park St, Mona Vale, after reports a man had been injured.
On arrival, police and NSW Ambulance paramedics found two men — aged 26 and 42 — suffering lacerations to their hands. They were treated and taken to Northern Beaches Hospital for treatment.
Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command established a crime scene, which has been forensically examined.
Initial inquiries indicate the men were injured during an altercation at a bus stop on Barrenjoey Road, where a knife was allegedly produced.
Responding police arrested four men — aged 18, 20, 21 and 22 — nearby.
The 21-year-old man was taken to Manly Police Station where he allegedly threatened officers. While the other three men were released pending further investigations.
He has since been charged with two counts of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possess means of disguising face with intent commit indictable offence, commit s114 offence, having previous conviction, and intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.
The Punchbowl man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 19 November 2023).
As inquiries continue, any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Images: Northern Beaches Advocate
Editorial note: The age of the man who fled police has been amended from 26 to 22. Police have stated in their report one of the injured men is aged 42, however we have since spoken to the man, who says he is 36.
NSW Police are seeking public assistance in relation to this matter. If you have any information that may assist them with their inquiries, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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