The attacker fled on foot. Police found him and an axe less than a kilometre away, about an hour later.
A supermarket worker in Sydney’s west narrowly avoided serious injury on Friday afternoon after a man allegedly attempted to assault him with an axe inside a store before fleeing the scene.
The 27-year-old male employee was on shift at a supermarket on Victoria Road in Ermington when the alleged attack occurred about 5.15pm. Police were told the unknown attacker failed to make contact before running from the store.
About an hour later, officers located a 59-year-old man on Seamist Avenue, approximately one kilometre south of the supermarket. An axe was allegedly found nearby.
The man was taken to Ryde Hospital for a mental health assessment under police guard. He was subsequently released from hospital, arrested and charged with affray and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.
He is expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
NSW Police have released footage of the man taken while in custody. The 27-year-old worker was uninjured.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Featured Image: NSW Police
