A naked man armed with what appeared to be a machete sparked chaos on a roadside in southern Poland after allegedly attacking passing vehicles, smashing windscreens and chasing pedestrians.
The 31-year-old was seen clinging to the bonnet and windscreen of a car as the female driver repeatedly moved the vehicle in an apparent attempt to throw him off.
Footage from the incident showed the man striking the car’s windscreen with the blade while witnesses looked on.
The rampage happened at around 1.30pm on Monday in Bielsko-Biała, where the man was also accused of smashing street lamps and damaging an ambulance.
Witnesses said the man was carrying a large blade and appeared to have a bleeding foot when he was first spotted.
Armed police officers wearing helmets and carrying shields eventually confronted the man and ordered him to stop.
Police spokesperson Sub-Lieutenant Sławomir Kocur said the man failed to respond to their commands, prompting officers to use a Taser.
“Officers approached him from a safe distance. The man did not respond to any commands. He was quickly overpowered,” Kocur said.
“Officers used a direct coercive measure, which was a stun gun.”
Police said no one was injured during the incident.
The suspect was arrested and taken to a provincial hospital under police escort. He remained under observation overnight with officers stationed at his bedside while blood tests were ordered.
Unofficial local reports suggested the man may have been under the influence of drugs, although this had not been confirmed by police.
The man reportedly gave police rambling explanations for his behaviour, including claiming that he had just left an accident and emergency department.
Authorities are waiting for his condition to improve before questioning him.
The extent of the property damage is still being assessed as police continue their investigation.
