A Queensland man will face court in Newcastle today, accused of a violent rampage along a busy road in Hamilton on Wednesday night.
Police say the 39-year-old threatened a young man in his car on Beaumont Street around 5:50pm, demanding he get out.
It’s alleged the man then grabbed the 26-year-old driver and pulled him out of his car, before stabbing him in the chest with a scalpel.
The driver was able to take the keys from the ignition, before the man ran off down the street.
It’s believed the 39-year-old then demanded cash from a chemist and stole drinks, before he began threatening a woman and two children, who were in a vehicle stopped at traffic lights on Beaumont Street.
Police say the man then jumped into the car and tried to undo one the child’s seatbelts, while the 33-year-old woman circled the block.
She then pulled over and jumped out of the car with the children, before the man allegedly drove off in the Ford Kuga.
Police began a man hunt for the 39-year-old across Newcastle, and spotted the car being driven on Darby Street at Cooks Hill around 7pm.
A pursuit allegedly began which continued through Merewether before the car was stopped at Flowerdale Avenue.
He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with an offensive weapon, aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, and police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed.
He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
