Off-duty cop allegedly bashed during crime spree
An off-duty policeman in Perth has been left barely recognisable after he was allegedly bashed trying to stop a gang of men on a crime spree.
Police say that for almost an hour, the men attempted to smash their way into several shops in Roleystone, even targeting a truck driver who was pelted with bricks.
The rampage started just after 9pm on Sunday night, with the men targeting a bakery and kicking in its glass doors then smashing the till open.
But police say the men only got away with $15 from a charity tin.
It's alleged there were two other botched robbery attempts, at the IGA and Bendigo Bank.
A police officer who lives nearby heard the shop alarms and came to investigate.
Police say the senior constable caught one man outside the bakery. It is then alleged two men turned on him and punched him in the face several times.
The police officer is in Royal Perth Hospital tonight with a broken jaw and broken nose after an attack the police union has described as "savage".
Tonight five men are being questioned by detectives. At this stage no-one has been charged.
