A Woolworths shelf stacker allegedly attacked police with one of the supermarket's glass evacuation signs during a violent scuffle at Wollongong's Burelli Street store.
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Boby Katana, 22, was charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest, using a weapon and causing malicious damage after the incident, which happened about 5.15pm on Friday.
In bail court on Saturday, police said Katana entered the supermarket while intoxicated and appeared to place an item in his back pack.
When stopped by plain-clothed police, he allegedly became aggressive prompting the officers to take hold of him and attempt an arrest.
He then took an evacuation sign off a nearby wall and allegedly swung it at police.
Police blocked the strike and the sign smashed across the floor.
Katara then allegedly continued to violently resist arrest, police said, requiring them to use "approved pain compliance techniques" to subdue him.
The two officers received a number of minor lacerations, and one suffered considerable pain to his ribs and was transported to hospital.
Sergeant Amelia Wall said police believed Katana should not be allowed out on bail as he was a danger to the community.
Defence lawyer Elizabeth Parkes said Katana had sustained a wrist injury from police handcuffs and a cut above the eye during the scuffle, and believed he was unlikely to face jail over the charges.
"[The incident] was at his place of work which is why he was perhaps overreacting to the police interest in him," she said.
"It's clear from the facts he hasn't stolen anything, he tells me he was looking for the half price chicken and was leaving when he unfortunately attracted attention from the police."
Katana received bail on the condition that he attends an alcohol detox program, and was ordered to appear in court on November 19.