Police officer slashed in the face during arrest in Melbourne’s west
A police officer has been slashed in the face with a knife during a violent arrest in Melbourne’s west.
Police were hunting those behind the theft of a food-delivery car when a chase ended in the officer being attacked in Melton South about 1pm on Friday.
The car was allegedly stolen when the driver left it running while dropping off an order at a Kirkton Drive address in Kurunjang shortly after 10.30am.
Police then tracked the victim’s phone, which had been left inside the car, to find the stolen Toyota Camry on First Avenue in Melton South about 1pm.
When officers went to approach the car, two men ran from it and into the Wattle Place Reserve Playground, according to police.
An officer then tackled one of the men to the ground and was allegedly slashed in the face with a knife.
The officer still managed to arrest the 34-year-old Bacchus Marsh man, despite being injured.
Police found a homemade gun at the scene, which they allege one of the men dropped from his pocket during the scuffle.
A 28-year-old from Coomoora was also arrested.
The injured police officer was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
