Wollongong’s top cop has praised the actions of officers who put themselves in harm’s way to contain an “extremely volatile situation” on the doorstep of the city’s hospital on Sunday night.
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A 43-year-old Nowra man remained in the hospital under police guard on Monday after he allegedly doused himself and a car in petrol, and threatened to set it alight, during an hour-long standoff with officers outside the emergency department.
The incident was the dramatic culmination of an earlier pursuit, sparked when a dog squad vehicle tried to stop a Ford Falcon with no number plates on the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail about 8.50pm.
The vehicle, which was also reported speeding and veering between traffic, was pursued to Wollongong and stopped in the hospital ED car park off Darling Street.
The driver allegedly armed himself with a knife and splashed petrol on himself and the car, prompting police negotiations to begin about 9.30pm.
Wollongong police Detective Acting Superintendent Chad Gillies said the man acted “in an extremely aggressive manner and was certainly agitated”.
Supt Gillies said the man hopped in and out of the car a number of times, but wouldn’t disclose specific details of the threats made during the standoff.
“He did have a lighter with him at one stage, but I can’t talk about the exact threats that he was making,” he said.
“It’s clear to police that there was certainly a real risk that himself or the vehicle would come alight.”
During the operation, the man rammed three police vehicles and did a burnout as he tried to leave the car park.
“The police used initiative to put the vehicles in his way so he couldn’t get back out, therefore containing the risk to that immediate area,” Supt Gillies said.
Officers used “non-lethal tactical options” to take the man into custody about 10.20pm.
Fire and Rescue NSW were also on scene; the man was sprayed with water during the arrest to minimise the risk of ignition.
The man, who was known to police, sustained minor injuries from a police dog bite during the arrest. Two officers were assaulted. The man is expected to be charged once out of hospital.
Supt Gillies said the “judgment and professionalism” of the officers involved was “without question outstanding”.
“They put themselves in immediate risk,” he said.
“But what was pressing on their minds was the staff and the patients at the hospital.”
The ED reception area was evacuated during the standoff, with staff taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of those inside.
The measures included relocating patients, family members and carers from the ED waiting room.
“Our staff acted quickly and calmly,” hospital spokeswoman Nicole Sheppard said.