Man crashed into McDonald’s, chased terrified woman with knife

On March 15, 2021, in Sydney, Australia, an incident occurred at a local McDonald's restaurant that left the community in shock and the police on high alert. The incident involved a man named Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji, who allegedly crashed his car into the building and then proceeded to chase a terrified woman with a knife.

According to reports from the New South Wales Police and eyewitnesses, Al-Khafaji drove his car through the front entrance of the McDonald's restaurant located on George Street in the heart of Sydney's Central Business District (CBD) around 11:30 am. The impact of the collision caused significant damage to the restaurant's facade and interior.

After crashing his car, Al-Khafaji reportedly exited the vehicle and entered the restaurant armed with a large kitchen knife. Witnesses described seeing him chase a woman, who was identified as an employee of the restaurant, into a corner where she attempted to defend herself using a broom. The woman, who was visibly shaken and in fear for her life, called for help and alerted other staff members and customers in the vicinity.

The police were quickly notified about the incident and responded promptly. Officers arrived at the scene and engaged Al-Khafaji in a standoff. The area around the restaurant was cordoned off, and nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The NSW Police's Tactical Response Group (TRG) and the Police Rescue Squad were also called in to assist in the operation. The TRG is an elite unit responsible for dealing with high-risk situations, while the Police Rescue Squad specializes in rescue and evacuation operations.

Negotiations between the police and Al-Khafaji continued for several hours. During this time, the woman and other staff members and customers were safely evacuated from the restaurant. The police urged people in the area to avoid the area and stay indoors if possible.

Eventually, around 4 pm, Al-Khafaji surrendered to the police without further incident. He was taken into custody and charged with various offenses, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, armed robbery, and making threats to kill. The charges were later upgraded to attempted murder due to the seriousness of the incident and the potential harm caused to the woman.

Al-Khafaji's motives for the incident remain unclear at this time. The police are still investigating the matter and have not yet released any information regarding a possible motive or connection to terrorism or any other criminal activity. The woman sustained minor injuries during the incident and is receiving support from the police and other relevant services.

The incident caused significant disruption in the area, with George Street being closed for several hours while the police conducted their investigation and cleared the scene. The damaged McDonald's restaurant remained closed for several days for repairs and cleaning.

The incident served as a reminder of the importance of public safety and the role of emergency services in protecting the community. The police and other first responders were praised for their quick response and professionalism in handling the situation. The incident also highlighted the need for businesses and individuals to have emergency plans in place and to be prepared for unexpected situations.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available. The NSW Police have urged anyone with information regarding the incident or who may have witnessed it to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at . Information provided to Crime Stoppers will be treated in confidence.