A teen has been arrested and remains in custody after a confrontation at a Dee Why supermarket.
Northern Beaches Police Area Command began an investigation into the alleged assault of a 57-year-old man following a confrontation with teens at the Woolworths supermarket at the Lighthouse Retail Precinct at Howard Avenue, Dee Why.
Around 4.30pm last Tuesday (26 May 2026), a dispute erupted between the man and teens in the supermarket. During that dispute, the man was accused of inappropriately filming a teenage girl in the store and a mobile phone was allegedly knocked from his hands.
Whether the claims of inappropriate filming have any merit remains under question however, as it is a known strategy of some teens who are allegedly caught engaged in antisocial acts to make claims of a similar nature to try and escape further scrutiny.
As other shoppers became involved and the man defended his actions, the teens involved are understood to have left the store but remained nearby. Supermarket staff contacted the police, and those involved at the store agreed to go to Dee Why Police Station around 100m away.
As the 57-year-old man made his way there in the company of another man, they were followed by a number of the teens, including a then 17-year-old male, who appears to have taken his ‘last shot’ as a young offender and allegedly assaulted the man. That youth has since turned 18.
Sources revealed to the Northern Beaches Advocate that the act was filmed, and the video made its way into the hands of police. The video has also been obtained by the Northern Beaches Advocate but cannot be shown as the matter is before the court.
The video allegedly shows teens following the two men walking up St David Avenue towards Dee Why Police Station while teens accuse the 57-year-old man of being ‘a pedo’ who filmed them.
The video allegedly shows the man approached from behind by a tall youth holding a yellow plastic bag who throws a roundhouse punch, which connects to the back of the man’s head.
The man immediately drops face-first onto the footpath and appears to be momentarily knocked out, before rolling onto his back. As the youth turns around, his face is visible in the footage.
Northern Beaches Police Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Boutouridis said that following an investigation into the incident, police made an arrest in relation to the alleged assault.
Michael Boutouridis
“On Monday, 01 June 2026, police arrested and charged an 18-year-old male from Narraweena for assaulting a 57-year-old man at Dee Why.
“Police will allege that about 4.40pm Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the offender who was aged 17 at the time, punched a 57-year-old man who was walking along St David Avenue, Dee Why.
“The offender punched the victim to the head and knocked him to the ground. The offender confronted the victim at a nearby supermarket a short time before the assault,” said DCI Boutouridis.
The 18-year-old man was arrested at his home at Narraweena, before being taken to Manly Police Station. While being interviewed, he allegedly refused to comply with a direction to provide access to his mobile phone. He was charged with:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, under Section 59 of the NSW Crimes Act. As the man was in the company of others at the time of the alleged assault, the maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment.
- Fail to comply with digital evidence access order, under Section s76AO(1)(a) of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act. Orders for digital evidence access are made to compel access to password protected devices such as phones that may contain evidence. The maximum penalty for failing to comply with an access order is a fine up to $11,000 and five years’ imprisonment.
- Stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm, under Section 13(1) of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007, which carries a fine up to $5,500 and five years’ imprisonment
The 18-year-old man was refused police bail to appear at Surry Hills Children’s Court on Tuesday, 02 June 2026, where he was again refused bail. He will remain in custody to appear at Surry Hills Children’s Court on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.
Police have confirmed the 57-year-old man faces no charges in relation to the incident.
Images: Northern Beaches Advocate (incl file), supplied
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