Police storm teen’s home in first Wakeley riot arrest
NSW Police have made their first arrest following the riots that erupted after a prominent bishop was stabbed while giving a sermon at a church in southwestern Sydney.
Footage of the arrest shows specialist tactical police with Strike Force Dribbs storming the home of a teenager in suburban Sydney on Wednesday afternoon, taking him into custody for the alleged offences of rioting, affray and damaging police vehicles.
“Police search warrant, open the door,” the officers yell before entering the home on Powers Rd in Doonside about 5.40pm.
They arrested a 19-year-old man.
“At this stage, you are under arrest for affray,” a police officer told the man outside the house.
“You are under arrest for malicious damage of police vehicles.
“The commissioner of police told you we were coming. We are here.
“Turn around, you are under arrest.”
The young man turns around and the police put cuffs on him.
The officers then load him into a police van and take him to Blacktown Police Station.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was addressing his congregation at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday night when he was allegedly repeatedly stabbed with a knife by a 16-year-old attacker who is yet to be charged.
The 53-year-old bishop suffered lacerations to his head and was rushed to hospital. Three other people were also injured.
Chaos erupted after the incident, with rioters swarming the church and the surrounding streets.
Police cars were smashed and officers suffered injuries.
Police said inquiries were continuing into the riots.
Footage from the night shows a giant crowd surrounding the church chanting: “Bring him out.”
Paramedics rushing to help the injured also confronted a hostile crowd and faced direct threats.
At one point, some paramedics were unable to leave the church for three-and-a-half hours, with paramedics describing the scenes as terrifying and extremely violent.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb vowed to find and arrest anyone responsible for the riot, launching Strike Force Dribbs.
“It might not be today. It might not be tomorrow. But we’ll find you and we’ll come and arrest you,” she said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and the state’s faith leaders issued a joint statement calling for calm and peace in the aftermath of the alleged terror attack and the riot that followed.
“Places of worship are places of peace and prayer,” the joint statement read.
“The people who gather there should never feel threatened or unsafe, no matter what religion they follow.
“As faith leaders representing the diverse religious communities of NSW, we stand united against all forms of hate and violence.
“Our prayers are with the victims and we call on our communities to extend our message of care and compassion to all.
“We have trust in our police and first responders and full confidence in their work.
“Police should never be attacked for keeping our communities safe.
“The scenes we witnessed after the attack are unacceptable to anyone and especially to people of faith.
“For people of faith, religion is never a justification for violence.
Father Isaac Royal, 39, also suffered stab wounds during the sermon attack.
He was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
The bishop remains in hospital in a stable condition.
