Victoria's Chief Commissioner Mike Bush took direct action Tuesday morning to apprehend a man allegedly armed with a chisel in Melbourne's central business district. Bush and his security officer were traveling to work when they observed police officers pursuing a man down Queen Street around 6 a.m.
According to police, officers had initially responded to reports of a man armed with a knife near Flinders Lane. The suspect was reportedly non-compliant, and a Taser was deployed without effect before the man fled. Bush, spotting the unfolding situation, exited his vehicle and restrained the suspect with the assistance of his security officer and other responding officers.
The discarded chisel was recovered nearby. The 32-year-old man, from Brunswick, was taken to a hospital for assessment, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. No injuries were reported during the arrest.
Carlo Moussi, owner of Tavistock House Cafe on Flinders Lane, reported hearing the man shouting before opening his business. Moussi described the man as appearing "angry and confused" and not intoxicated, but seemingly unaware of his actions. Police sirens were heard shortly after.
Chief Commissioner Bush has had a distinguished career, including previous roles in New Zealand where he led investigations into international drug rings and solved multiple murder cases. He recently completed his first year as Chief Commissioner in Victoria, overseeing pay disputes and the hunt for a suspect involved in the fatal shooting of two detectives.