The surprising second a knife-wielding man was dramatically tasered by police on a Melbourne tram has been captured on video.
The 57-year-old man reportedly received on the tram at inner-city Melbourne’s Collins Street cease on Saturday morning earlier than demanding the driving force open the doorways.
After the driving force refused, the person allegedly started wielding a knife and may very well be heard threatening to “slit the throats” of terrified passengers that had been sitting close by.
A clip of the tense ordeal reveals quick-thinking law enforcement officials conversing with the person from exterior the carriage, earlier than two different cops in tactical gear take management.
As the person makes an attempt to seize a girl’s hair, two male officers storm the carriage and taser him in a dramatic take-down.
Witnesses to the incident declare the person started appearing aggressively shortly after boarding the tram.
“Get me out of right here’,” he screams in the footage.
“Open this f**king door or I will slit this woman’s throat.”
Police officers urge the man to put down the weapon and exit the carriage, but he refuses.
“No. Get the car out of here or I’ll start killing these girls!” he responds.
Two policemen then rush onto the tram, with one deploying a taser on the knifeman.
Up to 10 passengers and the driver were evacuated as the man was put in handcuffs.
Police allege the man had stolen from a 7-Eleven convenience store while armed and jumped on the tram to flee the scene.
A police spokesperson said one woman received minor injuries and a 57-year-old man was now in custody.
They confirmed Critical Incident Response Team officers tasered the man after negotiations for him to drop the weapon failed.
The man, of no fixed address, has been charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment, threats to kill and assault, and was set to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Saturday night.
Melbourne woman Tamara Janjic, who was on board the tram, said she tried to stay completely still during the incident, which had left her shaken.
“I was terrified,” the 23-year-old told Nine News. “I was broken this morning.
“You weren’t too sure what was going to happen next. It was really scary. I was trying to make as little movement as possible.”
Tarik Koc from the Rail Tram and Bus Union said the driver felt uncomfortable locking the doors and so when another police unit arrived, he opened the tram doors.
“He opened the doors without any instructions,” Koc told Nine News.
“He had had enough as well … [he] was absolutely terrified.”
In a statement, Yarra Trams thanked police for preventing serious injuries and protecting passengers and staff.
“The safety of our employees and passengers is always our highest priority. We commend the actions of our driver for their management of this stressful situation, as well as thank Victoria Police for their quick response to detain the individual and de-escalate the situation,” a Yarra Tram spokesperson said, according to ABC News.
“We are grateful that no serious injuries were sustained by our driver or passengers.”
Source: www.news.com.au
