EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: Dramatic citizens’ arrest on York Street in the heart of Albany’s CBD

Three bystanders pulled off a dramatic citizens’ arrest in broad daylight on York Street on Tuesday. Witnesses told the Advertiser a 31-year-old man was jumping in front of cars and flashing motorists on Albany’s main drag. The man’s nose was bloodied while three citizens pinned him down on a curb outside Albany Town Hall. Police arrived at the scene at the corner of York and Grey streets about 2.30pm. “When I came out, he was literally flashing a car and running across the roundabout near the post office,” one witness said. “I just saw him fall over and some people tried to hold him down while they were on the phone to the cops.” One man described the citizens’ arrest as “members of the community acting protectively for other members of the community”. “They were dealing with someone who was extremely enraged,” the witness said. Police spent several minutes trying to get the man on his feet. Part of York Street was blocked to traffic for several minutes. The 31-year-old was verbally abusive towards police as they tried to restrain him. Onlookers clapped when the man was placed in handcuffs. It took four officers to get the man in the back of a police van. He was taken to Albany Health Campus after what police yesterday described as a “mental health episode”. As of yesterday afternoon, no charges had been laid against the man, who police said had no fixed address. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who saw the incident or has information is asked to contact Albany police.