Mallorca axe threat: man hits police during arrest

Several police officers need medical treatment after a man hits them during his arrest in Playa de Palma, Mallorca, on Monday night. Spain’s National Police say he had threatened to kill his former partner with an axe before confronting officers with the weapon.

An axe at the door

Police received a warning at about 22:00 that the man had threatened to go to his former partner’s home with an axe and kill her. Officers found the woman, who told them he had threatened her life.

At the man’s home, officers repeatedly called for him to come out. He opened the door, refused to cooperate and shut it again. Later, he appeared with an axe and moved towards them. The officers drew their guns to keep him back.

Pepper spray, smoke and an arrest

Police say the man also picked up several knives. From inside the home, he aimed pepper spray at officers and threw glass jars from a window towards patrol cars. Officers then saw smoke coming from the home and noticed a strong smell of burning plastic.

They got inside and found the man struggling to breathe because of the pepper spray. He resisted arrest, hitting and grappling with officers. Several needed medical treatment for their injuries.

Police arrested him on suspicion of making threats and also accuse him of assaulting officers. A search of the home found the axe, two folding knives and the pepper spray, among other items.

Topics: Police · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com