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

On the evening of March 25, 2021, in Sydney, Australia, an alarming incident unfolded at a local McDonald's restaurant located on George Street in the heart of the city. The event began when Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji, a 21-year-old man from Lakemba, entered the fast food establishment around 8:30 pm.

According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, Al-Khafaji appeared agitated and disheveled, carrying a large kitchen knife. He approached a group of people inside the restaurant, including a 21-year-old woman who was sitting alone at a table. The woman, understandably frightened, attempted to leave the scene but was blocked by Al-Khafaji.

Al-Khafaji then reportedly threatened the woman with the knife, demanding that she hand over her belongings and stating his intention to kill her. The terrified woman, in an attempt to protect herself, grabbed a nearby broom and used it as a makeshift weapon.

The incident caused panic among other patrons and staff members present in the restaurant. Some customers managed to escape through the back door while others hid under tables or in bathroom stalls. The staff quickly alerted the police and called for backup.

The New South Wales Police arrived at the scene within minutes and managed to apprehend Al-Khafaji without further incident. The woman was physically unharmed but understandably shaken by the ordeal.

Al-Khafaji was charged with several offenses including armed robbery, threat to kill, and possession of a dangerous article. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court at a later date. The McDonald's restaurant remained closed for several hours while police conducted their investigation and forensic teams processed the scene.

The incident served as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant in public places and reporting any suspicious behavior to authorities. The local community expressed their relief that no one was seriously injured during the incident and wished the affected individuals a speedy recovery.