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

On March 11, 2021, in Sydney, Australia, an incident occurred at a local McDonald's restaurant that left the community in shock and the police investigating a case of attempted aggravated robbery and assault. The suspect in this case was identified as Abbas Hayder Al-Khafaji, a 27-year-old man from Lakemba.

According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, Al-Khafaji entered the McDonald's restaurant located on Parramatta Road in Camperdown around 11:30 pm. He approached the counter and demanded money from the staff, brandishing a large kitchen knife. The staff quickly complied and handed over an undisclosed amount of cash to him.

However, Al-Khafaji's violent behavior did not end there. He then turned his attention towards a 28-year-old woman who was in the restaurant at the time, ordering takeaway for her family. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, described the terrifying ordeal in an interview with local media.

"He came towards me with the knife and demanded that I give him my phone and my bag," she said. "I tried to reason with him, but he became more aggressive and started threatening me with the knife."

The woman managed to grab a nearby broom and used it to defend herself as Al-Khafaji continued to chase her around the restaurant, threatening to kill her. The other patrons and staff in the restaurant were in a state of panic and quickly evacuated the premises, leaving the woman alone to face the attacker.

The police arrived at the scene shortly after and managed to apprehend Al-Khafaji without further incident. He was charged with attempted aggravated robbery and assault and was remanded in custody. The woman was shaken but physically unharmed in the incident.

The McDonald's franchisee issued a statement expressing their concern for the safety and wellbeing of their staff and customers and thanked the police for their quick response. The incident remains under investigation and further details are expected to be released in due course.

The incident serves as a reminder for the importance of staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions in potentially dangerous situations. It also highlights the crucial role that quick police response plays in ensuring public safety.